Derby County have set their sights on a free agent on deadline day.
Going into deadline day, it was revealed that Derby County have three targets in mind.
Paul Warne though is ready to hit the free agent market following deadline day, should deals for his three final summer targets fall through.
So far this summer, 10 new players have arrived at Pride Park, with Derby County signing Tawanda Chirewa on loan from Wolves last week.
But after a mixed start to the 2024/25 Championship season, it looks like a bit of added depth and quality in the final hours of the transfer window is necessary.
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Derby County ‘in the running’ to sign Liam Cooper
Journalist Darren Witcoop has now revealed that Derby County are ‘in the running’ to sign free agent centre-back Liam Cooper.
Cooper, 33, was let go by Leeds United at the start of the summer, and recently saw a move to Hull City fall through.
The former Scottish international won Championship promotion with Leeds in 2020 and has 207 Championship appearances to his name.
He’s also been named in the PFA Championship Team of the Season twice, and in the EFL team of the Season once.
Witcoop posted:
Why Liam Cooper could be a shrewd signing for Derby County
Following the recent injury to Eiran Cashin, it’s highlighted a lack of depth in the defensive area as a whole.
Cooper would certainly add some depth, and a lot of experience too.
He’s a player who’s been around for a long time now and he’s got experience playing at the top level of the Championship, and also of playing in the Premier League.
Warne may be concerned about his lack of match fitness having been without a club for some months now.
But on the whole, Cooper could be a shrewd addition as a free agent.