Derby County’s transfer business is heating up following the signing of Ben Osborn as they close in on their second acquisition.
Derby announced the signing of free-agent Ben Osborn on Friday evening.
The 29-year-old – who left Sheffield United following their relegation from the Premier League – arrives at Pride Park in a controversial switch.
Although he was born in Derbyshire and grew up in the Rams academy, he joined arch-rivals Nottingham Forest in 2003 and made 230 appearances for the Reds.
Now returning to the Championship with Paul Warne, the positionally versatile Osborn has a lot to offer in their push for survival while that impressive acquisition could precede the arrival of multiple strikers.
Derby County are set to land Premier League free-agent Kayden Jackson
On Friday, it was revealed that Derby were set to land forward Jerry Yates on loan from Championship rivals Swansea City.
That news was followed by links to another experienced centre-forward, with Sky Sports claiming Warne agreed to a deal with free-agent Kayden Jackson after his release from Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys were promoted to the Premier League in second place and Jackson was used sporadically by Kieran McKenna as the 30-year-old started just nine of his 29 appearances.
Jackson bagged three goals and four assists – including strikes from the bench against Stoke City and Preston North End.
Unfortunately, the Bradford-born centre-forward has never been the most prolific scorer and that won’t fill supporters with confidence if he does sign.
Kayden Jackson’s goal record shows they need more firepower
Warne is looking for a striker to fire at least double figures in the second tier to aid their survival push.
James Collins scored just 14 league goals last term and as they step up to the Championship, that figure will likely drop.
Therefore, the side that finished as the joint-lowest scorers in the playoffs need added firepower and on the evidence of Jackson’s career so far, he won’t provide that.
The former Accrington Stanley striker hasn’t scored more than three league goals in his last four seasons and while that can be put down to restricted game time at Ipswich, it’s a pattern that has followed him throughout his career.
Jackson has only hit double figures in a campaign twice, bagging 15 goals for Accrington in League Two (2017/18) while firing 11 goals in the third tier for Ipswich (2020/21).
Whilst he’ll offer the Rams “electric” pace to stretch defences in behind, he won’t offer a clinical edge in the final third and that is exactly what Warne requires if they are to stay up.
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