Derby County have submitted a bid to sign a ‘special’ player who has drawn comparisons to the great Lionel Messi in the past.
The 2024/25 Championship campaign is less than a month away and Derby County are assembling a squad ready for a survival battle.
Paul Warne has managed to get four new signings through the door, including Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates and Kenzo Goudmijn, while a move for Ebou Adams is nearing completion.
It’s been a fantastic start to the summer transfer window but Warne has accepted that for Derby to stay in the second tier, they’ll need to make at least seven more signings.
Whilst acquiring a new goalkeeper or two is their main priority, the Rams also need to supply their forward line with added flair by adding a difference-maker to their squad.
Derby County submit bid for Karamoko Dembele
Known for dancing through defenders as a 13-year-old playing for Celtic’s under-20 side, Karamoko Dembele rose to stardom as one of the most promising youngsters on the planet.
Sadly, the Englishman crumbled under the weight of expectation, leaving Celtic in 2022 before signing for Ligue 1 side Brest.
The 21-year-old made 15 substitute appearances in the French top division in 2022/23 and was sent out on loan to Blackpool last term, where he dazzled in League One.
Dembele showed glimpses of the talent many saw at a very young age, plundering nine goals and supplying 14 assists in all competitions for the Seasiders.
As a result, it was reported that Derby showed an interest in the fleet-footed winger last month, with it confirmed that Dembele wasn’t a part of their plans.
Now, journalist Darren Witcoop has revealed that the Rams, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth have all ‘made offers’ for the youngster, while Bolton Wanderers have confirmed their interest.
Karamoko Dembele can dazzle in the Championship at Derby
Derby could do with signing a winger who can make the difference in the final third and create a chance from nothing.
With his twinkle toes and low centre of gravity, Dembele fits that description perfectly, showcasing his ability to dance past defenders and make the right decisions in attack.
The jet-heeled winger has previously drawn comparisons to the great Lionel Messi from his former coach David Feeney, who worked with him for four years at Park Villa football development in Glasgow.
Speaking to the Mirror in 2016, Feeney said: “I think he is very similar to Lionel Messi, if he has the right guidance and stays at Celtic then the sky is the limit for him.”
Dembele has struggled to reach the potential that his formative years promised however, after a promising spell at Blackpool, he’s ready to take the Championship by storm.
For the Rams to land the ex-Celtic starlet would be a terrific piece of business as he could be worth an eight-figure sum in the future and he would offer exceptional quality cutting in from the right flank.
Indeed, Derby would make a real statement of intent by signing the ‘special’ talent ahead of their second-tier rivals.