Carlton Palmer has urged one of Derby County’s transfer targets to join the club this summer.
Derby County have already dipped their toes into the transfer market following promotion to the Championship.
Paul Warne’s key priority remains to bolster their midfield as Max Bird is departing for Bristol City while Liam Thompson, Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith are all out of contract as well, leaving the Rams with just Tyrese Fornah currently under contract beyond the summer.
Yesterday, Derby saw a £250,000 bid rejected by Cardiff City for loan hero Ebou Adams, with the Bluebirds demanding double that figure to lure the 28-year-old to Pride Park permanently.
Adams isn’t the only midfielder on their radar, displaying an interest in Celtic’s Bosun Lawal, who spent this season on loan at Fleetwood Town.
Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth are also said to be courting the 20-year-old sensation, but Carlton Palmer has issued one key reason why he should snub those two clubs and join Derby.
Carlton Palmer says why Bosun Lawal should join Derby County
A physically imposing and technically gifted defender, Lawal started his campaign at Fleetwood as a centre-back, but manager Charlie Adam transitioned the youngster into central midfield.
Lauded a “top talent” by his manager, the youngster has thrived in midfield, scoring four goals and providing two assists from 15 matches.
Lawals’ impressive form has prompted interest from multiple Championship clubs, although Derby are the only club Palmer feels the talented gem should join.
Speaking to Football League World, the former Sheffield Wednesday player gave a key reason behind why the Rams would be the perfect fit for the Celtic star.
“The 20-year-old has impressed and I’m sure QPR and both recently promoted Pompey and Derby in the Championship would be good fits for him,” Palmer said.
“They’ll all be eager to see whether he’s allowed to move out on loan or for a permanent deal. As a young player, you want to play regularly, which is why he may not want to go back to Celtic.
“I think Derby may be a great move for him. Paul Warne is excellent with young players and gives them opportunities, and will get his head in the right place.”
Paul Warne gives young players a chance
Warne may have had the oldest squad in League One this season (an average age of 28), but that hasn’t stopped him from giving young players an opportunity.
He gave youngster Jake Rooney – who was captured on a permanent deal from Burnley – his full league debut against MK Dons in November 2022.
The 20-year-old was then a key figure at the start of this campaign before he suffered a season-ending injury in September’s defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
Warne has also given opportunities to highly-rated striker Dajaune Brown, who made a few cameos from the bench and was then loaned out to Gateshead in January.
The Derby boss has a strong track record of unleashing young players in the first team, and that points towards Lawal becoming a success at Pride Park.
The post 'A great move': Pundit urges ‘exceptional’ 20-year-old gem to join Derby County for one key reason appeared first on Derby County News.