Derby: West Brom midfielder linked; Shotton latest; fan favourite to leave

Add as preferred source on Google

The transfer season grinds relentlessly on and brings fresh rumours with it. Derby have been linked with numerous players so far this summer, but recent developments suggest the defensive department could be faced with a large shake up with plenty of ins and outs over the coming months.

Incomings

Callum McManaman – West Bromwich Albion

Having signed for the Baggies from Wigan Athletic last year, McManaman has failed to light up the Hawthorns as his ability promised.

The attacker helped guide Wigan to their FA Cup victory but has since not been able to live up to the promise that he showed in his earlier days.

Despite only joining West Brom in January 2015, Tony Pulis is apparently ready to sell his first Baggies signing for a rumoured £3million, with Derby, Bournemouth, Hull and Swansea all apparently interested in gaining his services.

A move for the Englishman by Derby would suggest at least one attacker leaving the club, with a plethora of options already available to Nigel Pearson.

Any outgoing from that department would be considered a major one given either the big money moves they made to Derby (Tom Ince, Andreas Weimann, Nick Blackman) or their affinity with the fans (Johnny Russell, Abdoul Camara) and may not be seen as worth the risk for the Rams.

Fan Reaction – Surprisingly positive given his poor goalscoring record and the aforementioned need to offload a major signing from the attacking department.

Many Rams fans are keen to give McManaman the chance to restart his career and show the promise he did in his first few years at Wigan. 

Christopher Schindler – 1860 Munich

The 6’2″ centre back isn’t exactly a household name, but with Derby reportedly looking to shake up the defensive department, the German could be just what is needed to add that extra bit of steel to Derby’s already relatively solid defence.

According to reports, both Derby and Huddersfield Town are interested in his services, with bids expected to have to be around £1m to tempt 1860 Munich to sell their captain.

Able to play on either side of defence as well, Schindler could add some much needed versatility to the Derby team for a relatively cheap price.

However, given Derby’s vast array of defensive options, it is highly likely more than one defender will have to leave to facilitate any incomings in that area. This rumour may stay as just that too, as the German apparently agreed a new contract with Die Löwen at the beginning of June.

Fan Reaction – Very neutral. Many haven’t seen or heard enough about him to form an opinion on him, but those that have seem to be equally balanced between positive sentiments and negative.

Unlikely we’ll see his arrival in the East Midlands, but it seems as if that’s no great loss to many Rams fans. 

Outgoings

Ryan Shotton – Birmingham City

Shotton has had a turbulent time with the Rams. He joined on an inital loan deal in September 2014 from Stoke City and made his move with the Rams permanent in January 2015.

However, his time at Derby has not been one of consistency for club or player and the Englishman failed to find a spot in the team over this last season, eventually being loaned out to Birmingham in January of this year.

The versatile defender has reportedly impressed Blues boss Gary Rowett and he is apparently keen to take Shotton to St Andrews.

With Derby looking to offload fringe players – particularly in defence – and Shotton having clearly lost his place with the Rams, a deal seems both likely but also best for club and player.

Fan Reaction – Overwhelmingly positive. Despite a good start to his Derby career with a goal against local rivals Nottingham Forest, Shotton has had a fairly bumpy relationship with fans, with most fans never taking to the Stoke born defender.

Almost all Derby fans see no place for him in the team and are glad to receive any kind of fee at all for him. 

Jake Buxton – Wigan Athletic

A firm fan favourite with the Rams, Buxton is reportedly set to join fellow Championship rivals Wigan Athletic in an attempt to have a solid season on their return to the league.

With former Ram Stephen Warnock already having joined the Latics after his contract with Derby expired, Buxton may indeed be tempted to relocate in order for first team football.

The Sutton born defender joined the Rams in 2009 and, despite having a career dogged with injury, has gone on to make 159 first team appearances for Derby, scoring 13 goals and his passion making him a fans’ legend in the process.

However, having lost his spot due to injury over the past year, Jason Shackell and Richard Keogh went on to form an unbroken partnership in the heart of defence and it unfortunately looks like ‘Bucko’s’ time with the Rams may be at an end, particularly if Derby are intending to clear out defensive players.

This would, however, leave Derby a tad short on defensive cover, with Buxton largely considered to be 1st choice back up should Keogh or Shackell drop out.

Fan Reaction – Understandably negative. Buxton is adored around the club and whilst many fans recognise his need to play first team football, many would rather see him force his way into Nigel Pearson’s plans instead of leaving to a team in the same league. 

Lee Grant – Leeds United

Former first choice goalkeeper at Derby, Grant has lost his place to Scott Carson over the past season, but has still made the odd appearance here and there and looked assured and solid.

At 33 years of age, he is in his prime age for a goalkeeper and needs to be playing regular first team football, so a move away from the iPro may be what is needed if Derby cannot guarantee such opportunities.

With promising youngsters Jonothan Mitchell and Kelle Roos waiting in the wings, the Rams may be able to cash in on Grant without worrying too much about finding a replacement to sit on the bench.

Leeds appear to be in the market for a British keeper, with the Yorkshire club also reportedly looking at Rotherham stopper and former Grant teammate at Derby Lee Camp, as other options to Marco Silvestri.

A move may be best for the former Derby academy graduate and Leeds may just be the right option for him.

Fan Reaction – Mostly positive, most fans agree Carson would be first choice over Grant, but many debate whether Mitchell or Roos are ready to play 15 or so games at such a high level if Carson gets injured, leaving many wondering whether Grant should be kept a hold of in case of such an eventuality. 

With so many rumours coming forward, Derby could once again find themselves with a transformed squad come August, though whether that is a good thing will be told in the fullness of time.