Derby County look likely to further bolster their attacking options this summer.
The Rams are still looking to boost their squad depth ahead of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, with both goalkeepers and attackers prioritised by Paul Warne.
Warne emphasised the need to bring in several midfielders this summer, which he has done so incredibly with the likes of Ben Osborn joining up with vast Premier League experience, something that will be crucial for Derby County next season.
Goalkeepers are still a priority for Warne’s side, with Josh Vickers continuing to be the only first-team goalkeeper, and the hunt for a shot-stopper will carry on after the Rams moved on from target Daniel Iversen.
As for attackers, Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates have been brought in to provide a goalscoring edge for Derby County this season.
However, Warne is still looking to increase his attacking numbers, with it emerging how likely Derby County will bring in one of their main targets.
Derby County ‘front runners’ in race for Karamoko Dembele
Derby County have had fierce competition from fellow Championship sides Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth in the pursuit for winger Karamoko Dembele, however it has now been revealed that the Rams are reportedly ‘front runners’ and always have been when targeting the former Celtic winger, per Darren Witcoop on X.
The 21-year-old had an emphatic loan spell at Blackpool last season, scoring eight and assisting 13 in League One, and as a result warranted praise from Tangerines defender James Husband who labelled the attacker as ‘special’, per Blackpool Gazette.
Dembele can either be used out wide or through the middle, something that would be crucial for Warne in increasing his squad’s depth.
Will Karamoko Dembele be able to perform at Championship level
The Stade Brestois winger has taken a while to finally find his groove after under-performing for the French outfit in the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season where he was unable to score, although was given severely limited gametime.
However, his loan spell at Blackpool finally saw a player that looked on track to live up to his sky-high potential.
There is a clear reason why Dembele is being tracked by several sides this summer, with there being enough evidence pointing towards the youngster having the ability to replicate last season’s form in the Championship.
With Warne and Derby County being in pole position to acquire the 21-year-old, they must do everything in their power to follow through with the deal.
Dembele can and most likely will provide an extra dimension to Warne’s attack and could easily help in getting the best out of new attacking partnership Yates and Jackson.