Derby County are over a month into the summer transfer window and have welcomed six players to the club.
The Rams won promotion to the Championship last season and were in need of a squad overhaul if they were going to avoid relegation.
Derby County offloaded seven players on free transfers this summer, a number of which played a key role in their top two finish.
Conor Hourihane and Louis Sibley picked up 19 goal contributions between them before parting ways with the Midlands outfit, while Joe Wildsmith won the League One Golden Glove.
The goalkeeper’s exit came as a big shock to supporters after his ‘unbelievable’ season, though it was expected that perhaps he was pushing for a move further up the Championship – eventually joining West Brom.
Derby’s next signing would have big boots to fill, however they are yet to find Wildsmith’s replacement.
The Rams were loosely linked with a move for former Fulham ‘keeper Marek Rodak last month, having been released by the Premier League club this summer.
The 27-year-old had only made two league appearances since Fulham were promoted two years ago, and Derby were keen to give him another chance in the Championship.
Their interest hadn’t progressed since though, and it now appears they face stiff competition for his signature.
Hull City ready to battle with Derby County for goalkeeper
Journalist Alan Nixon wrote on his Patreon: “Hull City are keen on a deal for former Fulham keeper Marek Rodak – if they can match his wage demands.
“Tigers are desperate for some experience after selling Ryan Allsop to Birmingham and Rodak fits their bill.
“However Rodak’s terms put off Burnley and are also an obstacle to Blackburn Rovers and Derby County who have been looking into a deal.
“Rodak could come back on to the Burnley radar if James Trafford is sold – despite the arrival of Vaclav Hladky.”
Is Marek Rodak worth the five-figure weekly wages?
It is believed that Rodak was raking in around £15,000-per-week at Craven Cottage, making him one of the lowest-paid players at the club.
However, a move to Pride Park would make the Slovak comfortably their highest earner by almost double – with James’ Collins thought to be earning around £8,500-per-week.
While it is unlikely Rodak is demanding the same wages he was earning in the top flight, Derby would still have to cough up a huge chunk of their budget to bring him to the club.
While experienced in the lower leagues – with three promotions under his belt – it does feel like the money could be better spent elsewhere.
Paul Warne is also very unlikely to win the race for Rodak if the other interested parties are to push for his signature, with the likes of Burnley and Hull having a lot more to spend than the newly-promoted outfit.