Reported Derby County defensive target Nicolas Isimat-Mirin is now approaching one full year without playing after missing out on a summer move.
The Besiktas defender spent last season on loan at French side Toulouse.
The global health pandemic, however, prompted the French league to call the season early with Isimat-Mirin recovering from an injury sustained in December 2019.
The central defender, who won three league titles in four seasons at PSV Eindhoven prior to moving to Turkey, was reportedly linked with a move to Derby in the summer.
According to Fotospor, the Rams approached Isimat-Mirin over a move to Pride Park. Former boss Phillip Cocu knew him well and was looking to bolster Derby’s defence.
But a move to the east Midlands club ultimately never materialised.
Derby, who were under a soft embargo for much of the summer, re-signed Matt Clarke on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion while Curtis Davies extended his deal for another year.
Antalyason Haber later claimed Isimat-Mirin was to join Hatayspor on loan.
But again, a deal never materialised, and Isimat-Mirin remained at Besiktas beyond the transfer deadline but failed to make their 25-man squad for the upcoming season.
It means the French defender’s last official game came back in December 2019 in a 4-1 defeat to Lyon in the French cup during his spell on loan at Toulouse.
Isimat-Mirin isn’t the only player to be affected by the pandemic. He is one of many who saw his season cancelled before missing out on a summer move.
For a player who won three league titles in Holland, it has been some fall.
With Cocu no longer at Derby following his dismissal last month, it seems any potential move to Pride Park is dead in the water despite his evident talent and availability.
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