Hull City boss Liam Rosenior has given his verdict on emerging reports that his side are keen on Derby County man Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Mendez-Laing has been one of, if not the standout player for Derby County so far this season.
The 31-year-old, now in his second season at Pride Park, has so far scored five and assisted seven more in 22 League One appearances for the Rams this season, who currently sit in 4th place of the table.
And yesterday, it was claimed that Championship trio Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, and Hull City were all monitoring Mendez-Laing as he enters the final six months of his Derby County contract.
But Rosenior has played down Hull City’s potential interest in the attacker.
Liam Rosenior says ‘nothing in’ Hull City link to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Speaking to Hull Live, former Derby County boss Rosenior said when he was told that Mendez-Laing had been linked with a potential January move to the MKM Stadium:
“Was he? I’ve never heard that. No, there’s nothing in that. If I wanted one of Derby’s players, I would go straight to them. I’ve got a good relationship with them. Literally, that’s the first time I’ve heard Nat’s name.”
Rosenior was briefly in charge of Derby County after Wayne Rooney‘s departure in the summer of 2022, but later relieved of his duties, with Paul Warne eventually coming in.
Rosenior has since shone with Hull City though; in what is his first full season in charge of the club, the Tigers currently sit in 7th place of the table.
January set to test Derby County’s resolve
Mendez-Laing isn’t the only Derby County player linked with a move away ahead of January; Eiran Cashin and Max Bird have both had links away, with Hull also tipped to make another move for Bird in January.
And all of Mendez-Laing, Cashin, and Bird are out of contract next summer (Cashin’s current deal has a one-year option, though) and so Derby will have some work to do off the pitch in the New Year.
All three players could play at a higher level and so it’d be understandable if all three wait to see out this season with Derby before deciding on their future.
The Rams are looking good right now with just one defeat to their name since October, and only two points separating themselves and Peterborough United in 2nd.
But losing one of Mendez-Laing, Cashin, or Bird in January could really derail their promotion push; Mendez-Laing especially as he’s been in great form over the past few weeks especially.
With Hull City seemingly out of the race, it’s a boost, but the Tigers are still expected to move for Bird in January and that could be one to watch out for.