Five strikers that Derby County could target in the transfer window

Derby County have struggled to find a consistent striker option since the departure of David McGoldrick in summer.

The Irishman returned to his boyhood club Notts County instead of signing a new contract with the Rams despite a 22 goal season last year.

In the summer, the Rams brought in Conor Washington who won’t put up McGoldrick like numbers this year and also Martyn Waghorn who has struggled for consistentcy.

They also have James Collins at their disposal who has also not lived up to demands.

So it is likely that Paul Warne will want to bring a striker in during the January transfer window, but with less free agent options and a limited budget, it could be quite a challenge.

Here are five strikers that the Rams could easily add in January.

Connor Wickham - Free Agent

Connor Wickham is a proven goalscorer at both Premier League and Championship level. He most recently played for Cardiff City but is currently a free agent after getting released in the summer.

He played 12 games for Cardiff City last season in the Championship scoring 1 goal with 2 assists.

The Rams would be able to add him for free and could bag a goalscorer in Wickham. However, recent inconsistency would make this move a bit more of a risk.

Matt Godden - Coventry City

The Rams were linked with Matt Godden in the summer, but nothing came of it. It wouldn’t be a suprise to see Paul Warne swoop for the Coventry striker.

Godden has played in 15 games so far this season scoring five goals.

The 32 year-old has proven League One experience with two 14 goal seasons between 2018 and 2020 with both Coventry and Peterborough United.

He is valued around 500k, the Rams could likely get him cheaper due to his age and the fact that he will only have one year left on his contract at the end of this season. Coventry may be looking to get value for him now before he leaves on a free.

Kayden Jackson - Ipswich Town

Kayden Jackson is an ideal candidate for the Rams. He has a bit more pace than any of the current strikers, something that Derby have been crying out for.

He’s made eight appearances so far this season scoring two goals for Ipswich.

Jackson’s contract runs out in the summer and so the Tractor Boys will be eager to move him on so they earn a transfer fee rather than letting him go for free in summer.

This means the Rams should be able to get him cheap and also add a proven League One striker.

Lyle Taylor - Free Agent

Lyle Taylor has shown that he is a solid goalscorer at both League One and Championship level.

He is currently a free agent after getting released by Rams rivals Nottingham Forest and so Derby could add him for free.

The 33 year-old had his best season in League One back in 2018/19 for Charlton when he scored 21 goals and recorded 11 assists. Taylor would provide the attacking talent that the Rams need to push them up towards the promotion spots.

Tom Eaves - Rotherham United

Tom Eaves would add to the list of Derby players who have played under Paul Warne before. He signed for Warne’s Rotherham United in 2022 when the Derby manager was Millers boss.

Eaves has however not featured much this season only making six appearances. This means that Rotherham would be prepared to let him go if the Rams came in with a good offer.

Furthermore, because he is a former Warne player then he may not take long to settle into life at Pride Park.

Eaves’ best season came in the 2018/19 season when he played in League One for Gillingham scoring 21 goals.

He has proven League One experience and could be a help to the Rams up front.