Derby County face Harrison Armstrong threat as Blackburn Rovers lurk - Here are 3 alternatives for 2025/26 | OneFootball

The Rams may face competition for the signature of the Everton youngster again next season. FLW has looked at three alternatives.

Derby County's Championship status hangs in the balance, and with just weeks to go in the 2024/25 campaign, they will be hoping that an instant return to League One is not the conclusion to a rollercoaster of a season.

It's been a year of two halves for the Rams, with Paul Warne's sacking in February proving to be a turning point for the club, and John Eustace has helped renew their hopes of safety following a difficult winter.

The East Midlands outfit have shown their class in the last month-and-a-half, with their head coach making them more resolute defensively while they are finally starting to prove a threat to their opponents going forward.

Harrison Armstrong has played a huge role in their recent success, but he is only on loan from Everton, and with Blackburn Rovers interested, it may be touch-and-go to see him return for 2025/26. Football League World has taken a look at three alternatives to the 18-year-old who Derby may look at in the summer.

Lewis Travis

Rovers' captain, Lewis Travis, was a favourite of Eustace back when he was in charge at Ewood Park and his performances across the majority of this season have been positive.

However, with the uncertainty surrounding Blackburn currently with The Venky's ownership a constant frustration for supporters, some of their top talents may be looking for an exit in the summer.

Derby could be a good destination for Travis, with his former boss getting the very best out of him during their time together previously, and he would slot into a very similar role to the one that he was playing earlier in the campaign.

The Rams would not turn down the leadership skills of the 27-year-old, who will enter the final year of his contract at the end of this season, and he would be an excellent partner for Ebou Adams in a 4-2-3-1.

Hector Kyprianou

Peterborough United's Hector Kyprianou is a young star with a very bright future in the EFL, as proven by the sensational goal he scored for his side against Birmingham City in the Vertu Trophy final.

However, his contract is due to expire at the end of the campaign, and as he will be turning 24 in May, teams will not have to pay compensation to the Posh for his signature.

With the Cambridgeshire outfit struggling towards the bottom end of League One, he may be looking for an exit in the summer and Derby could provide that for him, with a place readily available in the middle of the park in Eustace's team.

However, survival will be needed if they are to have a chance at signing him as he will want to play in the Championship and prove himself in the second tier.

A more physical player compared to Armstrong, he could be the perfect alternative to the Everton youngster, with his experience in senior football very high despite his age, and he could be a good long-term option in the Rams' midfield.

Charlie Savage

Charlie Savage has come into his own this season for Reading, and he looks to be a real star in a side pushing for a play-off place in League One.

The Royals' financial troubles in the last few years have meant that there has been a reliance on younger players, and the 21-year-old has more than stepped up to the plate in 2024/25. At times, he has been playing beyond his years, and this youthful exuberance would not go amiss in Eustace's starting XI next season.

While he is not as established as Kyprianou or Travis, he is still in the early days of his career and he can be moulded more easily into the player that Derby need for the future. With enough experience around him, this will not be an issue as the months wear on.

The Rams have shown interest in the midfielder before, and while this was knocked back the first time, if Reading do have the means to find a replacement in the summer with Rob Couhig looking to complete his takeover, then a deal could be worked and Savage could follow in the footsteps of his father, Robbie, who played at Pride Park between 2008 and 2011.