Derby County parted ways with nine players this summer.
The Rams released six players at the end of the season, while Scott Loach also retired from professional football.
They then loaned out two, with Darren Robinson joining Hartlepool United and Tyrese Fornah moving to League Two with Salford City.
The latter made the controversial move from Nottingham Forest to Derby County last year, but only managed nine starts in League One.
Fornah made a four-minute cameo in Derby’s opening day defeat to Blackburn Rovers last month, but days later secured a loan switch to the Peninsula Stadium.
The 24-year-old was always extremely likely to leave Pride Park this summer, but it now appears he was very close to going elsewhere.
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Tyrese Fornah could have gone down south
Former Manchester United midfielder and Salford co-owner, Paul Scholes, has now explained how he hijacked a deal for Fornah.
Speaking on The Overlap’s YouTube channel, Scholes said: ‘I always think it’s best to go straight to the player at any point. You can get his number, get some recommendations. You know what he’s like as a lad, what he’s been like as a player at the football club and then go straight to him. I think the player seems to appreciate that as well.
“We had a player last week actually, who we signed from Derby. I think the three of us got on the phone to him, including the manager, and Ryan [Giggs] got on the phone to him. I got on the phone to him and he was down at another club. He rang us there and said no, I’m sorry. I’m signing for this club down south, and we were all devastated. But he signed for us. He was down at another club and he got down there and he changed his mind.”
How Fornah has fared so far in Salford City loan spell
Fornah has started both of Salford’s matches in League Two since joining the club and has put on fairly solid performances in both.
Against Chesterfield last time out, the ‘fantastic’ midfielder had 34 touches, completed 88% of his long balls and 83% of his ground duels, as well as making three tackles, one clearance and one block.
On his debut against Bradford, Fornah made one key pass, two successful dribbles, made one tackle and one interception, as well as picking up a clean sheet.
The Forest academy product has enjoyed a steady start to his loan spell, but isn’t exactly pulling up trees.
Fornah’s contract is set to expire next summer and it seems highly likely that he will be released.
Unless he can put on some wonder performances in League Two, he will find it extremely difficult to force his way into Derby’s starting line-up – especially if they remain in the Championship next season.