Derby County target Serdar Dursun has told reporters he has played his last home game for Darmstadt as he plots to leave on a free transfer next month, Fussball News report.
The 29-year-old striker has been in phenomenal form of late.
In his last home game of the season against Heidenheim, he scored an incredible four goals to take his tally to a whopping 15 goals in his last ten Bundesliga II appearances.
Dursun’s season tally stands at 27 goals in 35 games in all competitions.
According to Bild last summer, Derby tried to sign him in a £900,000 deal.
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Former Rams manager Phillip Cocu targeted Dursun as Chris Martin’s replacement, but Darmstadt were holding out for more while Derby refused to go any higher.
The Athletic later claimed Derby were content to wait until January to get him cheaper.
But the decision has ultimately proved a poor one. Phillip Cocu was dismissed after 11 games of the season, while the lack of firepower upfront almost saw Derby relegated.
Dursun, meanwhile, has since attracted more suitors ahead of the summer.
Fussball News claim Hamburg and Besiktas are keen to sign him on a free, while Dursun tells the editorial how he has already played his final home game for Darmstadt.
“I knew that was my last home game for the Lillies. When I was a child, everyone in Hamburg wanted to play for HSV for FC St. Pauli. Both are big clubs. We’ll see what the next few weeks brings, but I’m open to everything. The Bundesliga, La Liga or the Premier League, all appeal to me and they are leagues I have dreamed of since childhood. I also really like the lifestyle in Istanbul, that would be great,” Dursun explained.
It seems Derby have ultimately missed their chance to sign him.
Dursun’s excellent campaign will now see him receive better offers, and for whichever club is set to sign him on a free transfer, they are about to get an absolute steal.
Derby will have to turn their attentions elsewhere. Colin Kazim-Richards turns 35 in August, while Martyn Waghorn is out of contract next month and could leave.
A new striker must be at the top of Derby’s list of priorities this summer.
Also see: Know your history: Derby’s top five leading scorers since 2000, four signed by Nigel Clough
Also see: Report: ‘Leader’ Derby wanted last year set to join Championship rivals for free