Derby County are looking to make a further addition to their squad this week.
It has been a mixed 2024 summer transfer window for Derby County so far.
A number of first-team players arrived at Pride Park early in the summer, giving Paul Warne plenty of time to embed them ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season.
Several of those faces have already shown why they were signed during the Rams’ opening three fixtures of the campaign.
Derby County fans were wowed by Kenzo Goudmijn after his £820,000 capture, while Derby signing Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has caused excitement among the fanbase as well.
On the field, meanwhile, Ben Osborn impressed against Middlesbrough this past Saturday as the newly promoted outfit picked up their first win of the campaign.
But there are still expected to be new additions at Pride Park before August 30th, with Derby likely wanting a striker through the door sooner rather than later.
- READ MORE: Derby County fans given first glimpse of what Jacob Widell Zetterstrom will offer Paul Warne
Derby County join SC Heerenveen in race for Celtic defender
Outside of a new striker, Warne may now wish to add another defender this his ranks this summer.
This comes after Derby were dealt a double injury blow ahead of Watford, with Kane Wilson and Eiran Cashin set to miss out this weekend after picking up issues versus Boro.
One player who would help ease the burden on the Rams’ depleted backline is Gustaf Lagerbielke.
According to the Daily Record, Lagerbielke is in talks with Dutch outfit SC Heerenveen over a move but Celtic would prefer a permanent exit for the defender.
The report adds that Derby are also interested in the stopper, whom Celtic paid £3m for in August 2023, as per Transfermarkt.
- READ MORE: Player who Phillip Cocu wanted at Derby County now closing in on £30m transfer amid Man Utd interest
Derby target Gustaf Lagerbielke takes inspiration from Virgil van Dijk
As already mentioned, Celtic signed Lagerbielke from Swedish side IF Elfsborg last summer.
After arriving in Scotland, the 24-year-old revealed he takes inspiration from Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, as per Sky Sports News.
He said: “Virgil van Dijk, who has been here before, is a huge inspiration.
“Also how he is outside of the pitch, he is very professional and keen on getting better all the time. And on the pitch of course with his leadership, duelling and passing, he is a really good player.
“He was a great player for Celtic and did a lot of good things, so he is an inspiration.”
Lagerbielke did not have a great debut season in Glasgow, featuring just seven times in the league and last completing 90 minutes in September 2023.
But he is a Swedish international and would add some quality to a Derby backline that shipped four in their opening league game of 2024/25.