Derby County boss Paul Warne has revealed his frustration at the difficulty of the summer transfer market so far.
The Rams moved quickly in the first few weeks of the window, sealing eight deals for new players to strengthen the squad.
Since then, Paul Warne has been on the search for even more signings who could help bolster his options further.
Derby are set to sign goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom from Djurgardens – with the shot-stopper expected to play his final game for the club on Thursday during the Europa Conference League.
Beyond that saga, there are hopes of adding a striker and a defender to the mix at Derby with just two weeks of the window remaining.
- READ MORE: Derby County confirmed signings, transfer ins and outs, loans and releases for 2024 summer window
Paul Warne provides Derby County transfer update
Speaking ahead of his side’s match against Middlesbrough, Derby County boss Warne revealed some of his frustration at the current transfer market facing his side.
He told BBC Radio Derby: “I feel like I’m getting close on one position. On one position, the frontline, you’ll be surprised to know every club is going for the same like three players so it feels like a little bit of ‘who can lie the best?’ – which I’m not prepared to do.
“That’s what it feels like to me a little bit, so in regards to the top line [forwards] that’s always the hardest, put it that way.
“So I’m glad I got Jerry [Yates] as early as I did and I got Kayden [Jackson] as early as I did so we’ve got a bit of a breath.
“But yeah, top line is hard, middle of the pitch we might be able to get something done in the next 48 hours, got to meet the kid yet.
“The backline I think I’ve got a decent candidate and the goalkeeper, the search still continues…”
It suggests that while some things are moving in the background, perhaps things haven’t gone quite the way the manager would’ve hoped.
That frustration is underlined by the fact that Warne later revealed that he received two rejections for players this week.
“In all fairness I take a lot of rejection because I’m competing and going for the best players I can go for, so if I went below or competed with lesser clubs, I’ll probably come away with a player but the best players have the best choices.”
Derby County transfer decisions
As it stands, it is clear that Derby still need a few extra bodies through the doors at Pride Park to stay competitive in the Championship.
Squad depth and quality is a requirement in the division and with the news of two rejections coming through, it is far from an ideal situation for the Rams.
However, there is a clear plan to steer clear of any mistakes, aiming for sensible decisions on a financial and recruitment front.
That leaves Warne needing to find a diamond in the rough – or perhaps a few – before the window closes in two weeks.