According to a report by The Athletic, Erik Alonso identified former Aston Villa target Gaston Pereiro and Gabriel Boschilia as his first signings as Derby County owner.
Alonso’s bid to become Derby’s owner fell through despite initial EFL approval.
The 29-year-old had big plans at Pride Park. However, it seems the EFL later weren’t convinced by Alonso’s financial situation amid their request for proof of funds.
It’s the second failed takeover of Derby after Sheik Khaled earlier this year.
Alonso was ambitious. The Spaniard told previously Onda Cero how he wanted to look at the foreign market as Derby owner, identifying Fernando Llorente as a dream signing.
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And the latest reports from The Athletic say he had two more foreign players he wanted at Derby, Cagliari’s Gaston Pereiro and Internacional ace Gabriel Boschilia.
Pereiro ironically joined PSV Eindhoven under former Derby boss Phillip Cocu.
The Uruguay international spent five years at PSV before departing the Dutch club last summer.
Pereiro told Sport890 last year how his agent was in talks with Aston Villa. Eindhovens Dagblad, meanwhile, valued him at £6 million as he hit double figures in four successive seasons at PSV.
The 25-year-old, however, ended up joining Cagliari ahead of Villa last year.
Derby’s lack of creativity:
Pereiro is an attacking midfielder who stands at 6ft 2inch. He operates mainly as a number 10, and he is exactly the type of player Derby have missed over the past two years.
The Rams finished as the lowest scorers in the Championship last season.
There was a notable dearth of creativity as Kamil Jozwiak, Max Bird, Jason Knight, Tom Lawrence and Graeme Shinnie only managed a combined five assists all season.
Also see: Reported 18-goal Derby target valued at £5m pens new deal elsewhere
Also see: Former £11m player Derby want to sign for free reportedly enters talks with league rivals