With only three days left of the transfer window, Derby County are running out of time to strengthen their squad.
Derby only trail leaders Portsmouth by three points at the top of League One, but there is an acceptance that bolstering a few positions in their squad can significantly improve their automatic promotion chances.
Paul Warne has already made the shrewd addition of Charlton Athletic winger Corey Blackett-Taylor, initially on a loan deal that will become permanent in the summer.
But his main priority in this window has been adding a proven goalscorer to his ranks, though he is yet to achieve that aim.
He outlined his ambition to bring in Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith to Pride Park. Warne worked with the 32-year-old during their time at Rotherham United, however, the Owl’s demands have made securing a deal a lot harder.
Smith was his primary target to challenge top scorer James Collins and relieve the pressure off him, but following this setback, Warne is now ‘unconfident’ of landing a striker before the deadline.
This isn’t the first time that the Rams have failed in their pursuit of a player as Michael Olakigbe is in advanced talks to join promotion rivals Peterborough United before the deadline.
Derby County could lose out on Michael Olakigbe to Peterborough United
Derby joined several Championship and League One clubs in the race to sign the Brentford winger earlier on in the window.
Those included Blackburn Rovers, Swansea City and fellow promotion chasers Oxford United.
All four clubs had made enquiries regarding Olakigbe’s availability this month in an attempt to bolster their respective forward lines.
Unfortunately, it has now been reported by TEAMtalk that Peterborough are set to win the race for his signature.
In a transfer window of setbacks for Derby, this is just the latest to add to that list.
Is losing out on Olakigbe a big blow to Derby?
Although the 19-year-old is a talented youngster and was once dubbed as ‘exciting’ by journalist Jay Harris, Olakigbe still has a lot to prove at first-team level.
Of course, it’s a testament to his talent that he’s come off the bench for the Bees eight times in the Premier League this term, however, Derby are currently well-stocked in the wide areas.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has been magnificent down the left while Blackett-Taylor only further adds to that quality.
Olakigbe is unproven at League One level and while it is a great signing for Peterborough, the Rams have other more pressing areas to deal with.
A striker, as mentioned earlier, is the most important and added depth in midfield wouldn’t go amiss.
Derby may have allowed the Posh to strengthen by signing one of their targets, but all will be forgotten if a striker arrives through the door before Thursday’s deadline.