Derby County manager Paul Warne provides exciting transfer update | OneFootball

The Rams have already made a handful of signings this summer, but they don't appear to be finished in the transfer market yet.

Highlights

Derby County manager Paul Warne believes the Rams still have a way to go in the transfer market, with the need to strengthen in the goalkeeping, midfield and attacking departments all hinted at.

Journalist Dominic Dietrich revealed Warne's transfer plans via his X account late on Friday evening, in what will no doubt be of both excitement and relief to Derby supporters.

The Rams have already made a handful of signings so far this summer, as the club look to be competitive from the get-go as they prepare to make their Championship return next season.

County boss hints at more signings

Reporting via his X account on Friday, Dietrich - a BBC Derby journalist - detailed the plan of attack for Derby with just under two months of the transfer window to go.

Warne confessed the need to strengthen his defensive options, including the desire to bring in at least one new goalkeeper this summer.

After already completing deals for multiple midfielders, the Derby boss doesn't appear to be finished adding to the core of his side, with as many as three or four further midfield signings possibly in the pipeline.

The 51-year-old manager also hinted at revisiting his options in the striking department, with the potential for his forward line - which has already seen Kayden Jackson, Corey Blackett-Taylor and Jerry Yates arrive - to be beefed up further in the coming weeks.

Warne is clearly delivering on the ambitions of both himself, and indeed the club's hierarchy this summer, as the Rams are evidently looking to really take on the second tier in 2024/25.

They will no doubt have been inspired by the recent achievements of Ipswich Town and Luton Town respectively, both perfect examples of Championship success being open to any club, with any budget.

Rams must replicate defensive success next season

If County are to succeed in following in the footsteps of the Hatters and the Tractor boys from recent seasons, then it is integral that Warne is able to transition his stellar defensive record into the second tier next season.

The Rams only conceded 37 times in League One last year, with only Manchester City (34) and Arsenal (29) conceding fewer times than Derby did in English football's professional leagues during the 2023/24 campaign.

This pretty remarkable achievement should be seen as a platform from which Warne can build a squad that can take the Championship by surprise next season.

Warne's back three of Eiran Cashin, Sonny Bradley and Curtis Nelson proved to be too tough a wall to breach for many League One sides last year, but the club have lost their starting goalkeeper, and 2023/24 Golden Glove winner Joe Wildsmith, to West Bromwich Albion.

Therefore, with just Josh Vickers as the solitary senior goalkeeping option currently at Warne's disposal, finding a new safe pair of hands between the sticks this summer will be crucial to the continuation of their defensive exploits.

If the club get that signing wrong, they could see a lot of what they've built at the back go to waste, and potentially scupper their chances of competing further up the table.

The Rams appeared to have completed a deal for former Arsenal goalkeeper Mathew Ryan on a free transfer, but now the Australian international's proposed move to the Midlands is looking less likely, according to Telegraph journalist John Percy.

Percy does, however, report that the club are still in talks with Leicester City over a potential move for Daniel Iversen.