Derby County are set to face competition from Barnsley for a Premier League player who is available for six figures this summer.
Derby County secured promotion to the Championship in 2023/24, finishing second in League One behind Portsmouth.
The Rams only spent two years in England’s third tier and Paul Warne will be keen to ensure they avoid relegation in the coming campaign.
The 2024 summer transfer window has been open for less than a month but Derby have already been working hard behind the scenes to give Warne the best chance of securing Championship survival.
Ben Osborn was a welcome addition from Sheffield United earlier this summer, with Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates having also made the move to Pride Park in recent weeks.
However, further business is still expected at Derby this summer, especially in the midfield department following the departures of Korey Smith and Conor Hourihane.
Barnsley join Derby in race for Idris El Mizouni
In a bid to bolster their midfield ranks this summer, Derby recently joined the race for Ipswich Town’s Idris El Mizouni.
El Mizouni was previously considered by the Derbyshire outfit prior to the 2023/24 season and have they have renewed their interest this summer.
Oxford United, who also won promotion to the Championship in 2023/24, were thought to be rivaling Derby for the 23-year-old’s signature.
Now, according to the East Anglian Daily Times, Barnsley are also believed to be vying for El Mizouni’s signature.
It is understood that now-Premier League outfit Ipswich are open to selling the player for a fee between £250,000-£500,000.
What Idris El Mizouni can bring to Derby County
Even with the recent arrival of Osborn, Derby remain light in the central midfield area ahead of 2024/25.
However, El Mizouni could bring some much-needed quality depth to their ranks this summer.
Despite only being 23 years of age, El Mizouni was handed the captain’s armband on numerous occasions while on loan at Leyton Orient last season.
The Tunisia international made 45 appearances across all competitions and won the Leyton Orient Supporters Club Merit Award, highlighting the impact he had at the club.
El Mizouni has limited Championship experience, notching just four appearances in the competition.
But his displays across the previous campaign suggest El Mizouni has all the qualities needed to take the next step up in his career.
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