Derby County Eyeing Birmingham City Man
Derby County are considering a summer transfer move for Birmingham City defender Dion Sanderson, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The Rams appointed John Eustace as Paul Warne’s successor in what proved to be an inspired move as he led them to safety in the Championship.
Ahead of their second successive season in the Championship, Derby are planning to strengthen different areas of the pitch to back Eustace and avoid trouble.
Defence is an area where Eustace wants to improve and a centre-back is on their agenda for the ongoing window, with Danny Batth already having been eyed.
It has been claimed that the Derby boss has another target in his mind in the form of Birmingham City star Sanderson, with whom he has the experience of working in the past.
Sanderson came through the Wolves academy system and after a loan spell with Birmingham during the 2022/23 season, he joined them permanently in the following summer.
It was Eustace who brought in Sanderson to Birmingham, but shortly after his arrival, the Blues hierarchy sacked the English tactician.
Sanderson fell out of favour with Chris Davies last season and once again during the winter transfer window, Eustace signed him on loan for Blackburn Rovers.
Birmingham are strengthening for life in the Championship after a record breaking campaign in League One and they are willing to part ways with defenders.
Blues have set a £1m price tag on Sanderson, who has two more years left on his contract.
The defender has had a nomadic existence, with no fewer than six separate loan spells before he signed a permanent deal at Birmingham in 2023.
Elsewhere, Derby have been linked with top Bristol Rovers talent Kamil Conteh, but they have yet to make a bid for him.
Danny Rohl’s release clause at Sheffield Wednesday is an issue for an interested club who are on the lookout for a new boss.
Rohl worked wonders at the Owls in the Championship last season and then had them in contention for a playoff spot for much of the recently concluded campaign.
His exploits have seen him considered by RB Leipzig, while he was also a contender for the Rangers and Southampton jobs.
Now he has been linked with the job at Middlesbrough, but his release clause could be an issue, according to journalist Alex Crook.
Boro are now actively in the search for a manager and have former Leicester City boss Steve Cooper, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Rob Edwards and Rohl on their list.
