Derby County are now ‘likely’ to prioritise three key positions in the summer transfer window.
Derby County could now look to overhaul their squad after winning promotion to the Championship.
The Rams’ team is looking significantly weaker only weeks after the season ended, with six players being released and a further three returning to their parent clubs.
The exits of Dwight Gayle, Martyn Waghorn and Tyreece John-Jules leaves James Collins and Conor Washington as their only recognised strikers.
Meanwhile, they have also been left with only three recognised central midfielders – with Darren Robinson only making one league appearance so far.
Derby also made the shock decision to offload Golden Glove winner Joe Wildsmith and Scott Loach, meaning Josh Vickers is the only senior goalkeeper left at the club.
Derby County’s main transfer targets emerge
Their list of departures makes their main priorities for this summer not surprising at all.
According to Derbyshire Live, Paul Warne’s side will now target three main positions.
Journalist Leigh Curtis wrote: “Goalkeeper, midfield and attack are likely to be the priorities for Derby in the transfer market with the emphasis on adding more athleticism to the team, something which Warne admitted to in the aftermath of promotion.”
Players that the Rams could now look to sign
Joe Wildsmith’s departure came as a surprise, but there are thankfully plenty of options for Derby to look at replacing him with.
The Rams could look back to League One to bring in Lincoln City’s Lukas Jensen, having picked up 19 clean sheets in the third tier.
Leicester’s promotion to the Premier League surely means the end of Daniel Iversen’s time at the club, and he could be an excellent signing for any Championship team.
As for midfield, Derby would definitely benefit from bringing Ebou Adams back to Pride Park. If not, the likes of Paddy McNair and Ethan Erhahon are quality alternatives.
The lack of strikers available could be an issue for Derby, who are unlikely to want to spend big.
Instead, they can look to free agents such as Tyrese Campbell and Charlie McNeill, as well as loan players such as Troy Parrott and Callum Marshall.
The Rams need to be smart with their signings if they are to avoid dropping straight back down to League One.