3 Derby County transfer hints that tell us what could happen in the summer
The Rams have some real needs and also some players that have expiring deals, where do Derby go from here?
Krystian Bielik
Star Derby midfielder Krystian Bielik is currently out on loan at Birmingham City because he wanted to play for a Championship club to help his chances of playing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He did make the Poland squad, but now, questions are emerging over what Derby will do with Bielik when he supposedly returns in the summer.
It is likely that the Polish international will leave Pride Park if the Rams don’t achieve promotion to the Championship next season. Speaking to Derbyshire Live, manager Paul Warne said: “Krystian wants to play for his country and the only way he can do that is by playing Championship football.”
His status as a Ram could well depend on just how Derby perform at the end of the season.
David McGoldrick
Derby County manager Paul Warne has been vocal in his desire to keep the Rams’ top scorer at Pride Park. Contract talks have begun between the two sides and Warne is confident that the club can retain their star man.
Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, he said: “Our intention is to try to keep him. And I don't foresee any issues with it, unless he is a lot cleverer than I'm giving him credit for. But we are pretty honest with each other, I've told him the script and told him that I need to get him to sit down. It's as simple as that.”
From a fans perspective, this sounds very positive and it seems as though the 35-year-old striker could well be staying at Pride Park.
Transfer embargo
Everything has remained fairly quiet surrounding Derby County’s transfer restrictions that were imposed by the EFL after the period where the club was in administration. As a part of the club’s deal with the EFL, restrictions on signing players were put in place. In their statement at the time, the EFL said: “As part of the conditions of continuing membership in the EFL, the Club, whilst remaining under a registration embargo, will be permitted to sign new players in accordance with the terms of a business plan.”
As a part of the business plan, the club has to prove that they are able to make money again and fund themselves sufficiently, at which point the EFL will lift the restrictions on the club.
The EFL will review the ownership’s business plan at the end of the season. Derby have been very financially safe this season, which should play into their hands in terms of the restrictions being lifted or at least softened. Regardless of which league the Rams will play in next season, this could be a crucial step forward allowing the club to start signing more players again.