Derby County are facing a hugely important summer transfer window where they have to make improvements to their squad to avoid being involved in another relegation battle.

Having just about got over the finish line towards safety thanks to a 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the campaign, Wayne Rooney’s side could still have some things off the field to worry about with reports emerging over a possible points deduction.

However, unless anything major happens off the field in the next few weeks, Derby will be needing to plan for life in the Championship again next season. They are already being linked with one or two potential arrivals though heading into the summer.

With that in mind, we take a look at some of the latest transfer news concerning the Rams…

Derby and Birmingham City interested in Alex Pritchard

One player that Derby are being linked with a potential move for ahead of the summer window is Alex Pritchard, with the attacker now available on a free transfer with him set to be allowed to leave Huddersfield Town at the end of his existing contract. According to Last Word on Sports, the Rams and Birmingham City are leading the race for his signature at the moment.

That comes after reports from The Telegraph suggested that Derby and Birmingham were amongst the sides keeping an eye on Pritchard’s situation at Huddersfield in January. The attacker has not had much of an impact with the Terriers this term and could manage just 18 goalless appearances in the Championship. It seems the right time for him to move on.

Pritchard is a player that has shown his quality previously in the Championship prior to his big-money move to Huddersfield, he fired in six goals and seven assists for them during the 2016/17 season. However, that was some time ago now and he has not had a good time with the Terriers and will have a point to prove at whatever club he happens to move to.

Manchester United happy for Teden Mengi to re-join Derby

A major potential boost Derby could have been handed ahead of the summer is that Manchester United are happy to allow defender Teden Megi to re-join Rooney’s side on another loan deal, according to The Athletic. That comes after he impressed during his time at Pride Park since arriving in the winter window.

It has already been reported that Rooney is an admirer of Mengi and was keen to try and secure another loan deal for him in the summer. While it was believed that Manchester United could be willing to loan him out with them wanting him get more first-team football next term.

The Athletic’s latest update reveals that United are now happy to sanction another move to Derby for Mengi with them now knowing that the Rams will be playing Championship football next term.

Rams suffer transfer frustration over Marcel Lewis

One potential transfer move that Derby have already seen fall by the wayside ahead of the summer is a possible move for Chelsea’s young talent Marcel Lewis. It was reported by The Telegraph that Rooney’s side had been interested in making a move for the midfielder with the Premier League side willing to allow him to leave Stamford Bridge.

However, any hopes that Derby did have about making this transfer happen appear to now be over with Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise having confirmed that they have won the race for his signature and convinced him to join them ahead of next season.

That is a major blow for Derby and it might be worrying that they are missing out on being able to pick up such players with potential. The midfielder might have been able to offer something different to their squad and if he goes on to impress in Belgium then they could look back with some regret over missing out on him.