Derby County endured a forgetful season under the management of Wayne Rooney, as they narrowly avoided relegation into League One. 

The Rams drew 3-3 with Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the Championship season, which saw them survive in the second-tier for another year.

It's likely to be a summer of change at Pride Park for Rooney's side, as the former England and Manchester United forward looks to make the necessary changes to his side ahead of the 2021/22 league campaign, which is set to get under way in August.

One player that has been previously linked with a move to Derby County this summer, is Brighton and Hove Albion defender Shane Duffy.

The experienced Irishman has been with the Seagulls since 2016, and has made 130 appearances in total for them over the years. He's found game time hard to come by with the Premier League side recently though, as was sent out on loan to Scottish giants Celtic during the 2020/21 season.

 

 

But he struggled to make a notable impact with the Bhoys, as they finished second in the Scottish Premiership - much to the frustration of the Celtic Park faithful.

Duffy has two years remaining on his current deal with the Seagulls, but it wouldn't come as a surprise to see them cash-in on him in the summer transfer window.

There haven't been too many recent updates in regards to Duffy's future at Brighton and Hove Albion, but with the emergence of Ben White, it seems highly unlikely that Duffy will be in the starting XI on a regular basis moving forwards into the new league campaign.

Football Insider claimed that Duffy was surplus to requirements this summer, which is likely to heighten interest in his services.

With Football Insider previously revealing that Derby were keen on landing his signature this summer if they remained in the Championship, then it wouldn't come as a surprise to see them push ahead with their interest in signing the Irishman in the near future.

With some experienced players leaving the Rams already this season, Wayne Rooney's side could certainly benefit from signing a player of his quality, as it could seen as a like-for-like replacement for the departing Andre Wisdom this summer.