Derby County have now been told to sign a ‘brilliant’ replacement for departing goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith this summer.
Derby’s well-documented search for a new goalkeeper continues to rumble on.
Paul Warne made the surprising decision to let go of Golden Glove Award winner Joe Wildsmith at the end of his contract and since then, a whole host of players have been linked.
In replacing the 28-year-old, the Rams were linked to Viktor Johansson earlier on in the window, who instead signed for Stoke City, while former Arsenal and Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan is a name that has done the rounds.
Ryan is set to be released from his contract at AZ Alkmaar where he kept 13 clean sheets in 29 appearances, although he isn’t the name Carlton Palmer has urged Derby to sign.
Carlton Palmer urges Derby County to sign Daniel Iversen
Alan Nixon revealed on Sunday that Derby were after goalkeeper Daniel Iversen on loan from Leicester City.
Nixon claims the Rams are keen to secure his signature ahead of the 2024/25 campaign but only if they can get close to affording his wages.
Leicester have just been promoted to the Premier League, and although Iversen spent last term on loan at Stoke, the Danish shot-stopper is due a pay hike.
The 26-year-old was reportedly raking in a salary of £20,000 per week last season, which could put him out of reach in terms of Derby’s wage bill, though Palmer believes David Clowes should “stick his hands in his pockets” to sign the “brilliant” goalkeeper.
Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: “One area that they need to address is the goalkeeping problem, and they are looking at Leicester’s Daniel Iversen.
“He spent the second half of last season on loan at Stoke City where he did really, really well. Leicester have said they will loan him out again this season. The obstacle is that substantial pay rise after Leicester got promoted.
“Paul Warne will be hoping that the hierarchy at the club will stick their hands in their pockets, because it’s an area they need to fill having lost Joe Wildsmith. They would have liked to have kept him but Iversen would be a very good addition.”
Mathew Ryan is a better option than Daniel Iversen
In the short term and for affordability, Ryan is a better option than Iversen.
According to Capology, the Australian international is currently earning £11,000-per-week at Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. For comparison, Iversen is currently raking in almost double that amount as a backup goalkeeper.
Ryan starred for his club last term, with the 32-year-old even playing five times in the Europa Conference League.
There is an argument to be made that Iversen performed superbly in the Championship for Stoke City in 2023/24, keeping seven clean sheets in 18 appearances from January onwards.
The sticking point in landing Iversen, though, remains his salary as his current reported £20,000-per-week wage is set to rise now the Foxes have won promotion to the top flight, leaving Derby potentially priced out of a loan move.
Palmer did say it was worth breaking the bank for the Dane but why do that when the Rams could land an internationally seasoned goalkeeper, who has played 124 times in the Premier League and across Europe by landing Ryan?
Not to mention his wages would be lower and Warne would be able to sign the 81-cap Australian international for nothing. It seems like a no-brainer to go for Ryan, although there is no disputing that Iversen is an equally great option.
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