Derby County eyeing deals for four players after takeover confirmation

Derby County are in talks over the signings of four new players, Telegraph reporter John Percy has revealed.

After many months of uncertainty about the club’s future, the safety of the Rams was finally secured on Thursday night, when it was confirmed that businessman David Clowes has completed his takeover of the club, meaning Derby are no longer in administration.

That means the club, who are preparing for life in League One after relegation from the Championship last season, can now sign players again, and it appears they are wasting no time in getting to work on that.

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According to this latest update from Percy, winger Tom Barkhuizen – who is a free agent after leaving Preston earlier this summer – is set to be Derby’s first signing of the summer transfer window.

After that, it is thought that midfielder Conor Hourihane, attacker Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and centre back James Chester are all in talks over deals to join the club.

#dcfc can look ahead with optimism after the takeover by David Clowes, a lifelong fan and sensible businessman. Race is now on to sign players, with former Preston winger Tom Barkhuizen set to be the first. Conor Hourihane, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing & James Chester also in talks

— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) July 1, 2022

All three are also free agents, having left Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City respectively earlier this summer.

The Verdict

This does look like being some very good business for Derby to get done if they can sign these four.

Right now, any players would be important signings, given the lack of options they currently have after so many departures in the wake of such a tricky situation.

But there in particular could be useful signings, considering the experience they have in the top two tiers of English football means they could thrive in League One with the Rams.

As a result, after what has been such a difficult time for those associated with the club, this looks like it could be a rather exciting summer for those of a Derby persuasion.