John Eustace must pursue deal for ‘natural finisher’ from League One this summer, Derby County need goals
Attacking players are the priority for Derby County this summer as they prepare for a second successive Championship campaign.
Carlton Morris is set to join the Rams following a medical in the next week, with Jerry Yates unlikely to move back to Pride Park after spending the season on loan in the East Midlands.
John Eustace is yet to make a signing this summer but both Andreas Weimann and Danny Batth are closing in on moves following the expiration of their contracts at Blackburn Rovers.
However, there is one player who had a tremendous League One campaign who Derby must target this summer, much to the dismay of two former Rams captains, Conor Hourihane and Richard Keogh.
Derby have to make a move for Davis Keillor-Dunn
Davis Keillor-Dunn was spectacular for Barnsley in the 2024/25 League One season, scoring 18 goals for the Tykes as they finished 12th.
The attacking midfielder also registered seven assists in 45 games after making the move from Mansfield Town to Oakwell last summer, with his ex-manager Darrell Clarke describing him as the club’s ‘best natural finisher’, as per the Barnsley Chronicle.
Derby must make a move for the 27-year-old following his success in South Yorkshire, and he would slot in behind Carlton Morris excellently, as Eustace may revert back to a 4-2-3-1 – a formation that served him well at both Blackburn and Birmingham City.
The Rams lacked goals from open play throughout last season, and bringing in players who can provide those is crucial if they are to move up into mid-table in the new campaign
Davis Keillor-Dunn will want Championship football soon
Keillor-Dunn turns 28 in November, and while he is just entering his prime, he will have already realised the fact that he has not yet played in the Championship, with the majority of his career coming in League Two.
Derby can play on this potential desire to move on, especially with Barnsley’s lack of consistency last season, the challenge of the second tier will definitely be a huge pull.
Eustace himself also has pulling power, and Keillor-Dunn would benefit greatly from playing under him. The Rams’ head coach has the ability to get the most out of players, and with a free role behind the striker, he would be an excellent addition at Pride Park.
While they are yet to bring in a new signing, Craig Forsyth has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract, taking his stay with the club into his 14th and then 15th season with the Championship side.
Carlton Morris is awaiting a medical with the Rams after a deal was agreed with Luton Town for the striker, as Andreas Weimann and Danny Batth close in on moves to Pride Park following the expiration of their Blackburn Rovers contracts.
