Derby County are reportedly plotting a move for a ‘fantastic’ attacker who has just been released by rivals Nottingham Forest.
Now the promotion celebrations are out of the way, Paul Warne has begun planning for Derby County’s return to the Championship.
The Rams finished second in League One and secured their place in the second tier with a 2-0 win over Carlisle United on the final day.
Sadly, Warne has had to wave goodbye to six first-team players from that promotion-winning squad, including captain Conor Hourihane and Golden Glove Award winner Joe Wildsmith.
That has made doing business even more difficult this summer but it appears bolstering his attack is high on the list of priorities. The Derby boss wants to add pace and athleticism in abundance, which perhaps explains why they’ve been linked to Oxford United’s Josh Murphy.
Derby finished last season as the joint lowest scorers of sides that finished in the top six and given Warne has described this Championship as the toughest he’s seen in years, attacking reinforcements are necessary, with the Rams now linked to a Premier League attacker.
Derby County want Ateef Konate, released by Nottingham Forest
According to Africa Foot, Derby are one of several Championship, League One and European clubs interested in attacking midfielder Ateef Konate.
The report states the Rams, Sunderland, Birmingham City, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Westerlo and Vitesse Arnhem are all keeping tabs on the Frenchman.
Recently released by rivals Nottingham Forest, Konate is a promising youngster who was described by former under-21’s manager, Dave Rogers, as a “fantastic” talent, with the statistics underpinning that claim.
Although the 23-year-old only made three first-team appearances, he was a prolific scorer and creator of chances in the under 21’s, plundering 22 goals and supplying 12 assists in 55 appearances.
Konate struggled to make the breakthrough into the Forest senior team but following his departure from the club, as revealed in their retained list, the talented midfielder could be a risk worth taking.
Ateef Konate could be part of midfield rebuild at Derby
Warne is presented with a blank canvas in midfield this summer following the departure of Max Bird while Hourihane and Korey Smith were also released at the end of the season.
The Rams do want to bring Ebou Adams back permanently but there is a clamour for a creative force just ahead of a midfield duo, with Konate more than capable of providing it.
If the Derby boss persists with a 3-4-1-2 system in the Championship, he’ll need to sign an attacking midfielder; someone to float in behind the two strikers.
Whilst Konate wouldn’t bring the experience, his profile could suit their demands as he’s physically a tank, he’s great at manipulating the ball with both feet and has a sharp eye for goal.
The Frenchman also presents a low-risk and cost-efficient option on a free transfer and having brought Tyrese Fornah to the club last summer, Derby could repeat the trick with Konate.
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