Derby County have made a steady start to the 2024/25 season.
Derby County looked like they could’ve quickly plunged early doors this season, following the opening day defeat vs Blackburn Rovers.
But Paul Warne’s side followed that up with a comeback win vs Chesterfield in the Carabao Cup, and then a 1-0 win vs Middlesbrough in the Championship.
The win vs Boro was impressive and it’s settled a lot of nerves at Pride Park as we move into the 2024/25 Championship season, and towards the end of the summer transfer window.
So far this summer, Warne has welcomed nine new players into his first-team squad, and it looks like the Rams might fancy one or two more before the August 30th deadline.
And it seems like Warne may fancy an attacking addition, with Luton Town’s Cauley Woodrow linked with Derby County earlier this month.
Woodrow doesn’t boast a better scoring record than any of the Rams’ current forward options, though, and so Warne may be better off returning for a previous target, who could soon be on the move.
Previous Derby County target Ali Al-Hamadi wanted on loan
Last year, Derby County were linked with striker Ali Al-Hamadi who was impressing with AFC Wimbledon in League Two.
The 22-year-old would join Ipswich Town in January and went on to score four in 14 Championship outings, helping the Tractor Boys to promotion to the Premier League.
Al-Hamadi featured as a substitute in his side’s 2-0 defeat vs Liverpool over the weekend.
But The Athletic now report that Ipswich have fielded enquiries from several Championship clubs for the loan signing of Al-Hamadi this summer.
The same report adds that Ipswich are yet to agree a deal with a club for Al-Hamadi to go out on loan, with the Tractor Boys seemingly wanting a sizeable loan fee.
One major concern over possible Ali Al-Hamadi loan to Derby County
Al-Hamadi must be someone that Derby have done their homework on in the past, and his return for Ipswich in the Championship proved that he can cut it in the second tier.
But with no clubs having a agreed a deal with Ipswich, because no loan offer has matched their valuation of the player, it suggests that Al-Hamadi won’t come cheap.
And for Derby, whose resources are limited as it is, spending much money on a loan player doesn’t make sense in the long-term but may also dent their resources for the January transfer window too.
So Warne and the Derby County owners must think carefully about a possible loan deal for Al-Hamadi.
But it may be safe to assume that Derby are among the Championship sides keen on Al-Hamadi right now, give their previous interest.
And it could also be safe to assume that the Iraqi striker would be a much better option than Woodrow.