Derby County could replace Max Bird by signing a record-breaking Premier League talent this summer.
Derby supporters are still waiting for the club to announce their first signing of the summer.
The Rams are reportedly keen on signing Daniel Iversen to replace Joe Wildsmith, who was released at the end of his contract.
Filling the void in between the sticks after also seeing Scott Loach leave will be Paul Warne’s biggest priority, though strengthening their midfield is a close second.
Derby currently have just Tyrese Fornah, Liam Thompson and Darren Robinson as midfield options after releasing Korey Smith and Conor Hourihane while Ebou Adams and Max Bird returned to their parent clubs.
Warne must sign multiple central midfielders this summer and therefore replace academy graduate Bird, who scored six and assisted seven in League One last term.
Luckily, the Rams could land a perfect replacement for the 23-year-old on a free transfer.
Derby County should look at Shola Shoretire to replace Max Bird
Shola Shoretire’s contract at Manchester United expires this summer and according to Manchester World, there is a ‘growing expectation’ that the 20-year-old moves on.
Shoretire joined the United academy as a nine-year-old from bitter rivals Manchester City and has since struggled to break into the first-team like other players such as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
The young attacking midfielder has made just five senior appearances since being awarded his Premier League debut in the 2020/21 campaign, coming off the bench against Newcastle and Wolves.
In the 2022/23 campaign, the Englishman was loaned out to League One outfit Bolton Wanderers, where Ian Evatt described him as one of the most talented players he’s worked with.
Clearly a very good young player, who can operate on either flank as well as centrally, Shoretire plundered seven goals and supplied four assists in Premier League 2 last term.
That was a solid return for a player who needs to be playing regular football elsewhere, and Derby could provide him with that.
Why moving for Shola Shoretire makes sense for Derby
Dubbed a “super talent” during his time at Bolton, Shoretire is a record-breaker at Man United. In February 2021, aged just 17, he became the youngest-ever player to play for the Red Devils in Europe, featuring in a 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad.
Whilst that was a showcase of his pedigree to be selected for the Europa League at such a young age, capturing Shoretire permanently would be a show of Derby’s intent in the transfer window.
For Warne, the fleet-footed attacker would fill multiple positions, operating as an attacking midfielder in a three-at-the-back system or as a right winger in a 4-3-3 formation.
Known for his low centre of gravity, ability to beat players at speed and intelligently find pockets of space, Shoretire is the tricky customer Derby need to unlock Championship defences.
The Rams struggled to score goals last term, ranking as the joint lowest scorers of sides that finished in the top six.
Although Shoretire wouldn’t necessarily bring a prolific touch in front of goal, he would deliver some quality in the build-up and an ability to fashion space for his teammates.
For Derby to improve on last season’s tally and stand any chance of staying up, the speed, guile and agility of Shoretire would be crucial.
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