Birmingham City defender Kristian Pedersen told Blues Talk podcast that Derby County and Leeds United were interested in signing him before he joined Birmingham City.
The Danish left-back was playing for Union Berlin at the time. His impressive performances had alerted several clubs to his availability in the summer of 2018.
Pedersen eventually signed for Birmingham, a deal which ultimately ended up with the Blues receiving a nine-point deduction last season for falling foul of Financial Fair Play rules.
The 25-year-old claims the Blues weren’t the only club in for him.
Me and my agent were having a meeting together and there were some clubs interested in me. When he said Birmingham, I was pretty sure it was going to be them. There were a few other clubs [interested in signing me]. Freiburg and Mainz, Bundesliga clubs, and then you’ve got Leeds and Derby.
Championship trio in the market for left-backs:
Leeds appointed Marcelo Bielsa that summer and were in for a new left-back. The Whites ended up signing Barry Douglas from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Derby were also in for a new left-back. Frank Lampard had just taken over the Rams, succeeding Gary Rowett, and he had to plug a few holes in the squad.
Craig Forsyth was the number one left-back at the time as Marcus Olsson was out with a long-term injury. Max Lowe was also breaking through, but he was still inexperienced.
Derby ended up signing Scott Malone from Huddersfield Town. The 28-year-old went on to make 35 appearances last term for the Rams.
Pedersen, meanwhile, signed a four-year deal with Birmingham. Derby were linked with a loan move for him, a month after his reported £1.5 million move to St. Andrew’s. The 25-year-old has since become hit at St. Andrew’s, starting 39 Championship games last term.