Derby County must target an ‘outstanding’ League One striker this summer to either replace or partner James Collins in attack next season.
Derby County are fully focused on winning promotion back to the Championship. The Rams need four points to guarantee their return to the second tier as they travel to Cambridge United tomorrow afternoon.
Paul Warne feels calm and relaxed about his side’s chances having put themselves in a prominent position however, they need to finish the job without any drama.
Derby secured a 3-0 victory over Leyton Orient last time out to tee up this opportunity as Bolton drew against Shrewsbury Town in midweek.
As a mammoth two games await the Rams, Warne hasn’t had time to think about the club’s transfer business, although promotion to the Championship should see them target an “outstanding” League One striker.
Derby County must target Jonson Clarke-Harris this summer, he’ll cost nothing
One of the most prolific League One strikers of the past decade, Jonson Clarke-Harris is set to be available on a free transfer this summer.
Peterborough are braced to lose their talismanic figure, with several clubs scrambling to land his signature, including recently promoted Wrexham.
If the Rams get promoted to the Championship, they’d be an attractive proposition for most players and Clarke-Harris should sit near the top of their list of targets.
Including 52 goals in his last three campaigns for the Posh, the 29-year-old sharpshooter has plundered an impressive 107 strikes in 276 third-tier appearances and a respectable 19 goals in 87 second-tier matches.
Clarke-Harris is a demon in front of goal, combining his strength, power and explosive finishing ability to frighten the life out of defences.
Indeed, the Rams would crave his prolificacy in the Championship, especially with James Collins’ future hanging in the air.
Will Derby County keep James Collins?
Collins is Derby’s top scorer this season with 18 goals in all competitions. It’s his best scoring season since firing 25 goals in Luton’s 2018/19 campaign.
Despite how impressive the 33-year-old has been for the Rams, he is out of contract in June and the club need to decide whether to keep him.
The Republic of Ireland striker has only scored 27 goals in 114 Championship appearances, so if Derby were to go up, he wouldn’t find the net as frequently.
Yet, he could potentially form a deadly partnership with Clarke Harris and most supporters would be happy if he signed a new contract at Pride Park.
Although Collins leaving the club would only accentuate the need to lure Clarke-Harris to Derbyshire, a transfer that would be increasingly likely following promotion.
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