Derby County now ‘expect’ to sign one of their key transfer targets although there is one issue they must navigate to get a deal successfully over the line.
Derby have been extremely active of late in the summer of transfer window, signing four new players to aid their Championship survival hopes.
The Rams have predominantly bolstered in midfield and attack with the signings of Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates and most recently, Kenzo Goudmijn.
Paul Warne can therefore be happy with his business so far, although there is still plenty to do before his squad is ready for the challenge of Blackburn Rovers on August 9th.
That includes wrapping up a deal for a new number-one goalkeeper and completing the transfer of Ebou Adams; two issues Warne is currently looking to resolve.
What’s the latest in Ebou Adams transfer to Derby County
Following his successful loan spell in the second half of last season, which saw him become a fan favourite at Pride Park, it was made abundantly clear that Derby wanted to sign Adams permanently.
Cardiff City appear willing to sell the 28-year-old, who is entering the final year of his contract, but the problem they’ve had is negotiating the correct transfer fee.
The Rams understandably don’t want to pay over the odds for a player whose deal in South Wales expires in 2025, with the Bluebirds previously slapping a £500,000 price tag onto him.
Last week, it was said that Derby were ‘confident’ of striking a deal for the Gambian and a similar update has since been shared by Darren Witcoop, who claims talks are ongoing but Cardiff are ‘sticking to their guns’ over a transfer fee.
Whilst figuring out the correct transfer fee is a major sticking point, Witcoop does ‘expect’ a deal to happen, it’s just whether the two clubs can negotiate a transfer that is best for both parties.
What Erol Bulut has said about Derby County target Ebou Adams
Cardiff manager Erol Bulut has said, via BBC Sport, that the club have received an offer from Derby for Adams but ‘nothing is finalised’.
The Turkish tactician appears ready to accept that Adams will be on his way out of the club this summer, saying: “As far as I know we got an offer from Derby County but nothing is finalised, so until that moment, Ebou Adams is still a Cardiff City player.
“We didn’t want to risk him [against Kidderminster] because we are close [to a deal] but in football you never know. Things may not get done and today we didn’t use him but tomorrow is another day, we never know”.
Derby have brought in four new players this summer but successfully capturing Adams is the one that would receive the greatest reception, after watching the tigerish midfielder flourish last term.