Derby County secured their ninth signing of the summer last week by acquiring Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

After earning promotion to the Championship, the Rams have made significant efforts to strengthen all areas of the pitch.

Following the departure of nine players at the end of last season, Derby has effectively replaced them, particularly in midfield, where five players left the club, creating a pressing need to reinforce that position.

So far, the Midlands club has re-signed Ebou Adams and added Kenzo Goudmijn, Ben Osborn, and David Ozoh to their ranks.

Despite these additions, it seems Paul Warne is still eager to bring in another player before next week’s deadline.

Derby County targeting new midfielder before Tuesday

After speaking with Paul Warne post-match, journalist Dominic Dietrich shared on X: “Transfer-wise, Paul Warne is optimistic about securing a midfielder on loan in time for the Barrow match on Tuesday. One of the three targets could be a free agent, while the other two are potential loan deals. When asked about Tyreece John-Jules, he quickly dismissed the idea.”

It’s still unclear who Derby County is targeting, but the possibility of a loan deal suggests they might be looking to the Premier League for reinforcements.

David Ozoh, who joined from Crystal Palace, has made a strong impression since arriving and may have convinced Warne that pursuing another loan deal is a wise approach.

In terms of free agents, Derby has several options to consider. Jack Cork, released by Burnley over the summer, and recent Premier League departees like Dan Potts, Emiliano Marcondes, and Fred Onyedinma are all available.

From the Championship, experienced players such as Jake Livermore, Corry Evans, and Jeff Hendrick could also be on Derby’s radar.

The Rams are unlikely to bring in players just for the sake of it, but acquiring an experienced figure could provide valuable support both on and off the pitch. The club lost some leadership when they parted ways with Conor Hourihane and others, so signing a seasoned Championship player on a free transfer could be highly beneficial.