Derby County released multiple players at the end of their contracts and the latest of that contingent is now wanted by a League One side.
Derby’s summer transfer business has kicked into gear in the last week or so.
Following on from Ben Osborn’s arrival on Friday, strikers Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates were officially announced on Tuesday, joining from Ipswich Town and Swansea City respectively.
Paul Warne knows the challenges that lie ahead in the Championship are brutal and to achieve over 50 points, he’ll need to flesh out his squad with quality and make some difficult decisions.
A couple of those were apparent at the end of last season as captain Conor Hourihane and goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith were released from their contracts.
Whilst Hourihane has since joined former club Barnsley, Wildsmith is still waiting to be snapped up, although there is emerging interest from a League One side.
Barnsley now want to sign Joe Wildsmith
According to journalist Adam Oxley, Barnsley want to complete a double swoop of former Derby players by landing Wildsmith on a permanent deal.
Oxley claims the Tykes have shown an interest in the talented shot-stopper and urged supporters to “keep an eye” on how this situation plans out.
Barnsley finished in the top six last term but were beaten in the play-off semi-final by Bolton Wanderers, who then lost at Wembley against Oxford United.
It appears manager Darrell Clarke wants to go one better in 2024/25 by returning to the Championship, and he’d be going the right way around achieving that if he signs Wildsmith.
Joe Wildsmith would be a shrewd capture for Barnsley
Derby are still scouring the market for a goalkeeper to replace Wildsmith, resulting in previous links to ex-Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and Leicester City’s Daniel Iversen.
Signing a new number one is next on the agenda for Warne, who currently only has Josh Vickers on the books as a senior goalkeeper.
The Derby boss shocked many when he let go of Wildsmith this summer as the 28-year-old enjoyed a fantastic campaign in between the sticks.
He collected the Golden Glove Award at the end of the campaign after amassing 20 clean sheets in 40 matches to help the Rams seal promotion.
Such performances could have warranted a new deal however, letting him go just shows Warne has the ambition to improve that position.
Whilst that is the case for Derby, Wildsmith is a top-end League One goalkeeper, who would be a shrewd pick-up for any side chasing promotion.
The former Sheffield Wednesday man has kept 38 clean sheets in 91 appearances in the third tier, as per Transfermarkt, and would improve on that record by signing for the Reds.