Paul Warne has just been dealt a blow in the transfer market as a winger Derby County wanted has just joined their Championship rivals.
Derby County have been incredibly active in recent days as they flesh out their squad ahead of the Championship campaign.
Ben Osborn was acquired on a free transfer on Friday following his release from Sheffield United while strikers Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates arrived on Tuesday.
Derby needed firepower added to their forward line after ending last season with the joint fewest goals of sides that finished in the play-offs.
The signing of Yates can certainly add goals to their front line, with the 27-year-old boasting a record of 22 across his previous two Championship campaigns.
Paul Warne can be pleased with the strikers he’s acquired, although he will be disappointed that the Rams have missed out on a goal-scoring winger to their divisional rivals.
Sheffield Wednesday confirm signing of Derby County target Olaf Kobacki
Warne is currently eyeing up competition on the wing for the likes of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Corey Blackett-Taylor.
That saw Derby enter the race for Polish winger Olaf Kobacki alongside Championship rivals Norwich City.
A fresh report on Friday then suggested that Sheffield Wednesday were in pole position to land the 22-year-old, with the Owls since officially confirming his arrival at Hillsborough, penning a four-year contract.
Kobacki rose to prominence as a sought-after prospect in the Polish top division at Arka Gdynia and last term, produced an eye-watering 16 goals and seven assists in all competitions.
Clearly a threat from wide with his pace, trickery and a keen eye for goal, Wednesday look to have landed a coup while Derby must now move on to other targets.
Derby County need to sign a rival for Corey Blackett-Taylor
Although Warne used Mendez-Laing as a striker towards the end of the campaign, a switch to a 4-3-3 system will see the 32-year-old return to his usual left-wing spot.
Currently, Mendez-Laing will be joined by Blackett-Taylor on the opposite flank, though it’s clear Warne must sign some direct competition for the winger.
Blackett-Taylor has failed to make a positive impression since arriving from Charlton Athletic in January, with the jet-heeled winger assisting just once for the Rams in 12 appearances, only five of which were starts.
The 26-year-old will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his worth to Warne in the Championship however, the Derby boss must sign a player who is already used to the demands of the second tier, or even just an upgrade on the Englishman.
Adding someone capable of scoring goals from the right flank could potentially create a devastating forward trio of Mendez-Laing and Yates as Derby hunt for second-tier survival.