Paul Warne is looking to add a striker to his side following Derby County’s 4-2 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
Derby County have made several signings this summer as they look to bolster their chances of staying up in the 2024/25 Championship season.
The Rams have massively improved their striker options for the campaign ahead after bringing in Kayden Jackson and the loan signing of Jerry Yates from Swansea City.
However, since the loss to Blackburn Rovers, Warne has now looked at bringing in extra firepower before the next Championship game, with Luton Town striker Cauley Woodrow linked with a move to Pride Park, however any deal can not progress until the Hatters find an attacking replacement.
The move could also throw striker duo Conor Washington and James Collins’ future in the air as they may be deemed not good enough for the Championship.
With Woodrow’s link causing division amongst the Derby County fanbase as to whether he will be a sufficient striker at this level, here are three alternatives that Paul Warne must consider before the transfer window slams shut.
Michael Obafemi from Burnley
Michael Obafemi, the most ambitious of three suggestions, could work brilliantly for Warne’s side.
The Irish international may potentially be available for a loan move this summer as it will be unlikely that he is first-choice for Scott Parker’s Burnley this season, and the striker has already been deemed surplus to requirements last season after he was loaned out to fellow Championship side Millwall.
Whilst Obafemi struggled in his short spell at Millwall, his last prolific spell in the Championship dates only as far back as the 2021/22 season, where he managed to score 12 goals in 32 appearances for Swansea City.
Bailey Cadamarteri from Sheffield Wednesday
Bailey Cadamarteri is another player who is likely to be shipped out on loan this summer, especially with Sheffield Wednesday bolstering their options with the likes of Jamal Lowe and Ike Ugbo.
Cadamarteri, who is already wanted by League One outfit Wrexham, managed to burst onto the scene last season under Owls boss Danny Rohl and scored five goals at senior level and played a pivotal part in Sheffield Wednesday’s survival, with the German boss labelling his efforts as ‘quality’, per The Star.
In his limited game time for the club, he showed that he has goal scoring ability at this level, and over pre-season he has seemingly massively improved his game on the physical side.
Sam Smith from Reading
The only League One player on this list, but most likely to provide a guarantee of goals, is Sam Smith from Reading.
The former Cambridge talisman scored 15 goals in the 2023/24 League One campaign in 34 appearances, where he was able to guide Reading comfortably away from the relegation zone, despite troubles off-the-pitch that put the club’s future in jeopardy.
He would more than likely be available on a permanent basis, and could be lured into the calls of a Championship side looking to snap him up.