One winner and loser in Derby County’s deal to sign Jack Marriott

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Jack Marriott looks set to end a summer of intense speculation surrounding his future by signing a deal to join Championship outfit Derby County, after a bid from the Rams was accepted by Peterborough United, according to the East Midlands-based club’s official website.

The 23-year-old netted 27 goals in Sky Bet League One last season and several second-tier clubs have been chasing his signature during this transfer window, but the player will now discuss personal terms and undergo a medical with Frank Lampard’s outfit.

It wasn’t initially thought that Derby would have lots of cash to spend this summer and the signing of Marriott could mean that other members of the Rams’ squad will be offloading to balance the books.

Marriott has not really featured for a prolonged period in the Championship and the deal does represent a small risk for the Rams, with the club likely to hand him the remit of firing the goals that lead the Rams to the Premier League.

Here we look at one winner and one loser to the deal that takes Jack Marriott to Pride Park…

Winner – Frank Lampard

The Derby County manager will be absolutely over the moon to land a player who he will have undoubtedly targeted from the moment he started work with the Rams.

Marriott is a player who has the natural instinct of knowing where the back of the net is, whilst he will also offer Derby some much needed pace in the final third of the pitch.

The former Chelsea midfielder knows that he will be under scrutiny during his first spell in football management and signing players of Marriott’s ilk can only enhance his chances of a strong maiden campaign.

Loser – David Nugent

The 33-year-old striker has been a decent servant for Derby County over the last couple of years but he could be the one to make way for the Rams as they look to squeeze Jack Marriott into the starting line-up.

According to reports, Nugent is wanted by Sheffield United and given that he is coming towards the end of his career, the chance to play regular first-team football might be too good of an opportunity to turn down.

It is hard to imagine Nugent featuring much for the Rams next season and he could become the biggest casualty of the deal that sees the prolific Marriott link-up with the Rams.