Paul Warne has revealed that the Rams were interested in a fellow Championship strike last January.
Derby County’s striker situation so far in the 2024/25 Championship campaign has certainly stuck out in comparison to the other positions within the squad.
The Rams’ summer signings have delivered huge success in the centre-of-the-park, with Kenzo Goudmijn and Ebou Adams proving to be bargains for Derby County.
In defence, there have been many positive signs as well, with Eiran Cashin and Curtis Nelson proving to be ever-present in the side, with the latter’s future set to be discussed, as revealed by Rams boss Paul Warne.
However, the striker options at Derby County have not exactly proven to be consistent up until this point, and it begs the question on whether it would be a different situation if Warne was able to acquire one attacker that he was interested in previously.
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Derby County boss Paul Warne reveals previous interest in Sheffield Wednesday attacker
In the 2023/24 January transfer window, Derby County were looking at striking deals to help get them over the line for Championship promotion success.
One man they were sought after was Michael Smith from Sheffield Wednesday, and Warne has made it clear that ‘in every window he has been up for discussion’ in regards to a move to Pride Park, per Dominic Dietrich on X.
Warne said this at a recent fan press conference, as well as the specifics into the proposed move last season, where he said: “In every window he has been up for discussion. Last January I spoke to the Wednesday manager and he wasn’t someone he wanted to loan out. At the moment, he’s not someone I am looking to bring in.”
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Michael Smith could have unlocked attacking potential for Derby County
Derby County boss Warne without a doubt would have wanted to have brought in Smith based off when he coached him during his spell at Rotherham United, and looking at the stats, there is no doubt as to why he would.
The 2020/21 Championship season saw Smith bag 10 goals in the league, which was followed up by an 18-goal campaign in League One with Rotherham.
He is still showing his qualities at Sheffield Wednesday, with a terrific recent goal against Portsmouth coming to mind as one key indicator of his qualities.
What he has that the likes of Jerry Yates is currently lacking is the confidence to make a significant difference, and that would have easily come in handy for Warne’s side this season.