Derby County could sign an ‘incredible’ Premier League free-agent to fill Max Bird’s void following his departure.
Derby County are preparing for their return to the Championship and Paul Warne will want to get his business done fast.
The Rams boss has already claimed he needs nine or 10 players through the door at Pride Park, and several of those signings will be in midfield.
Warne saw Korey Smith and Conor Hourihane leave on the expiration of their contracts while Ebou Adams and Max Bird returned to Cardiff City and Bristol City respectively.
Bird’s departure has left the biggest void to fill, with the 23-year-old spending 14 years at the club.
During his time in Derbyshire, the talented Englishman made 200 appearances, capping off his time in style with a thunderous strike against Carlisle United.
That goal sealed promotion back to the second tier, and Warne must now seal a replacement for Bird, with one free-agent perhaps catching his eye.
Steven Alzate can fill Max Bird’s void
Recently released by Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, Steven Alzate is available to sign on a free transfer.
The 25-year-old was highly rated by Graham Potter during his time at the club, with the ex-Chelsea manager waxing lyrical over his attributes after the Colombian made a first-team breakthrough.
Speaking in 2020, Potter said: “He’s dedicated and focused but his main attribute on the pitch is that he is incredibly comfortable with the ball. He can take an extra touch under pressure and he hasn’t been fazed by the Premier League. His technical ability is really good.”
Alzate spent last season on loan at Standard Liege and although he only produced five goal contributions from midfield, he ranked inside the top 15% for pass completion in the Belgian Pro League and the top 17% for assists.
As evidenced by those particular metrics, Alzate boasts the technical skills, composure on the ball and ability to spot a pass, which are attributes that Bird brought to Derby.
In 33 league appearances last term, the academy graduate produced six goals and seven assists as he earned a January switch to Bristol City before returning on loan.
Steven Alzate and Ebou Adams would be the perfect combination
There are a few problems that could prevent Alzate from moving to Derbyshire; Rangers are interested in the player and during his stay at Brighton, he pocketed £15,000 a week.
Those wage demands could be out of Derby’s reach but if they were able to sign him, he could form a perfect partnership with midfield target Ebou Adams.
Adams flourished as a ball-winning machine in the heart of Warne’s midfield last term as supporters fell in love with the Gambian.
The club are no looking to strike a permanent deal for the 28-year-old, and with the possibility of signing a technically astute player next to him, Derby could have the recipe for success.
Alzate, a technically gifted midfield talent, would be the ideal player to partner Adams as he can pull the strings in a playmaker role whilst his partner sweeps up possession and protects the defence.
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