Derby County are now in ‘advanced talks’ to sign a highly-rated Celtic teenager this summer.
Paul Warne is looking to flesh out his Derby County squad following promotion to the Championship, claiming he needs around nine players for his side to compete.
A busy summer is therefore expected but with the transfer opening on June 14th, the Rams boss has one eye on the future.
Previously, Warne has showcased his appetite for using youngsters in the first-team, having watched Louie Sibley, Liam Thompson and Eiran Cashin flourish in their promotion-winning campaign.
READ MORE: Derby County star Eiran Cashin’s journey from almost released to Premier League transfer interest
This was followed up by giving 19-year-old midfielder Darren Robinson a new contract at Pride Park, and now he’s eyeing up youngsters in the transfer market.
Derby County in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Celtic starlet AJ Doyle
For many sides in England, there is a clamour for hoovering up some of Scotland’s most highly-rated youngsters.
Derby were reportedly keeping tabs on 17-year-old Rocco Friel from Scottish Premiership side Hearts. The right-back has now sealed a permanent move to Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers, with Warne now moving on to a talent from Celtic.
According to the Athletic, the Rams are in ‘advanced talks’ to land 16-year-old defender AJ Doyle as the club plan for the future.
The former Republic of Ireland under-15 international is currently a part of Celtic’s under-17 side and is one of many players, including Evan Easton and Aidan Borland to have swapped the Bhoys for an English side in the past year.
One to watch for the future
Most of the youngsters currently departing the Scottish game are leaving before they’ve made their senior debut or had the chance to have an impact on the senior side.
In the case of Doyle, he could be allowed to stamp his mark on the English game after spending several years in the youth academy.
The 2008-born defender will slot straight into the Rams under-18 side – if he joins the club – where he will hope to flourish under lead head coach, Daniel Maye.
Doyle will perhaps be attracted to how well Derby develop youngsters through their youth academy, with the likes of Cashin, Max Bird and Sibley going on to enjoy incredible success in the first team.
Warne will be signing him for the future in mind, watching his development from afar in the underage groups and assessing whether he could potentially thrive in the senior setup.
Derby supporters will be desperate for the club to make their first signing, and whilst Doyle would be an addition for the under-18s, it’s refreshing that owner David Clowes has one eye on the future.
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