Derby County have been very active in the summer transfer window so far.
Firstly, Derby County moved swiftly to make Corey Blackett-Taylor’s loan deal permanent, securing him on a three-year contract after his arrival from Charlton Athletic. Next, experienced midfielder Ben Osborn signed for Paul Warne’s side, joining his hometown club.
Strikers Kayden Jackson (on a permanent deal) and Jerry Yates (on loan) were the next additions, bolstering Warne’s attacking options.
Lastly, midfielders Kenzo Goudmijn and Ebou Adams joined Derby ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season. Adams, who was on loan at Derby last season from Cardiff City, played a key role in their promotion from the third tier.
The second tier could present a significant challenge for the Rams, but their squad is shaping up nicely for an intriguing campaign. Paul Warne is far from done in the transfer market, with the team still linked to several players.
He can take comfort in having already secured a number of new signings, allowing him to be patient with any additional deals.
Today, Football League World discusses two potential transfer deals involving Derby that could extend until the final day of the summer window.
Karamoko Dembélé
Understandably, Karamoko Dembélé has attracted significant attention this summer following his impressive performances at Blackpool last season. While on loan with the League One club, the 21-year-old scored eight goals and provided 13 assists in just 29 league starts, becoming a fan favorite at Bloomfield Road.
| Karamoko Dembele’s League One 2023/24 stats, as per Fotmob | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Shots | Shots on Target | Chances Created |
| 39 | 8 | 13 | 52 | 17 | 77 |
As much as Blackpool would have liked to retain him, it’s clear that he will be playing at a higher level than League One next season. Currently with Ligue 1 club Brest, the club will likely look to sell him this summer, given the interest from multiple Championship clubs.
Derby County is among the second-tier clubs reportedly interested in Dembélé, with journalist Darren Witcoop noting that the Rams, Sheffield Wednesday, and Portsmouth have all made offers for the winger.
Brest will not be in a hurry to finalize a deal this summer, as they aim to secure the best possible terms for the 21-year-old. This transfer saga may take some time to resolve, but it would be worth the wait for Derby.
His goal contributions for Blackpool last season are impressive, and it’s only a matter of time before he replicates that success in the Championship.
John McAtee
John McAtee, who shone during his loan spell in League One last season, is expected to leave Luton Town this summer. While on loan at Barnsley, McAtee was a key player, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists in 31 league starts.
His versatility makes him an attractive target for Derby County this summer, although signing him won’t be straightforward. According to HITC, Derby, along with Wrexham, Plymouth Argyle, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Portsmouth, and Bolton Wanderers, are all interested in the 24-year-old.
This situation is similar to Karamoko Dembele’s at Brest. Luton Town is likely to hold out for the best possible deal for McAtee, possibly extending the transfer negotiations throughout the summer.
McAtee has participated in Luton’s pre-season games, but with plenty of forward options, he is currently low in the pecking order. He would be an excellent signing for Derby as they aim for a strong finish in the Championship next season.