Derby County will have to pay a ‘ridiculous’ fee if they are to sign a League Two hot-shot this month.
Derby County have carried out an intense hunt for a new striker in the January transfer window, despite agreeing to extend Tyreece John-Jules loan spell from Arsenal.
The Rams have so far relied on ‘important‘ James Collins, who has 12 goals to his name in the League One campaign.
However, with Martyn Waghorn and Conor Washington struggling with injuries in recent months, Derby remain eager to bolster their attack in the final weeks of the window.
While reports have claimed that they are set to sign Michael Smith from Sheffield Wednesday, they are also said to be interested in signing League Two’s second top scorer.
According to Telegraph & Argus, The Rams are reportedly in competition to sign Bradford City’s Jake Young with a number of EFL clubs.
Derby are joined by Charlton Athletic, Exeter City and Port Vale in their pursuit of the attacker, while Carlisle United have already had bids rejected for Young.
Carlisle boss Paul Simpson has already slammed The Bantams for their asking price, telling News & Star: “He’s a player who we all like but we can’t afford him.
“Bradford are talking a ridiculous figure so that won’t be happening.
“From what I’m hearing the figure they’re quoting is way out of our league, and certainly not a figure that I would expect anybody to be paying for him.”
Who is Jake Young?
Jake Young began his senior career with Forest Green Rovers before joining Bradford City on a three-year deal in 2022.
The striker managed four goals in 12 appearances in all competitions for Bradford before he was sent out on loan to Barrow City last season, where he failed to score a single goal in League Two.
Young was handed another crack at the fourth tier this term though, linking up with Swindon Town who had finished mid-table in the previous campaign.
Young was enjoyed much more success this time round, netting 16 goals and providing four assists in only 25 games for Swindon – despite the club sitting in 17th place.
The 22-year-old went on a scoring run of six games across November, where he netted an impressive seven games – though managed only two wins in the process.
While Bradford City sit only a point above Swindon, they don’t appear to be interested in recalling Young and could instead demand a huge fee to sell him on. The forward will be entering the final 12 months of his contract this summer.