Journalist Report: Derby County transfer target now ‘nearing agreement’ with Championship rivals

Derby County appears to be facing yet another setback in their summer transfer pursuits. Despite the anticipation surrounding their return to the Championship, the post-season has been marked by a lack of news regarding new arrivals at Pride Park. With the upcoming challenging campaign in mind, bolstering the squad is imperative.

Having secured promotion from League One, there are concerns that Paul Warne’s team may struggle in the higher division.

The departure of players due to expiring contracts further underscores the need for reinforcements across various positions.

While Viktor Johansson was among the players linked with a move, he has opted for Stoke City instead. Now, it appears that Derby County’s hopes of acquiring Josh Windass are also fading.

Josh Windass set to sign new Sheffield Wednesday contract

Derby County has been linked with an interest in Josh Windass, the striker from Sheffield Wednesday, whose current contract is set to expire at the end of this month.

Alongside Hull City, Stoke City, and West Brom, the Rams were reportedly monitoring the 30-year-old’s situation, particularly impressed by his strong performances towards the end of the 2023/24 season.

Windass notably scored three goals in each of Sheffield Wednesday’s last three matches, contributing significantly to their successful bid to avoid relegation from the Championship. However, journalist Alex Miller suggests that Windass and Sheffield Wednesday are close to reaching an agreement on a new contract, although the deal has yet to be finalized.

Can Derby County still sign Josh Windass

Windass holds a special place in the hearts of Sheffield Wednesday fans, having expressed his ambition to become one of the club’s top scorers, having already netted 40 goals for them.

With Owls manager Danny Rohl recently signing a new contract, Windass’ continuation at Hillsborough appeared increasingly probable this summer.

The latest update from Miller further solidifies the likelihood of Windass staying put, effectively ending any hopes Derby County might have had of securing a deal for him. Nevertheless, Windass fits the profile of the type of striker Paul Warne should pursue: experienced in the Championship and prolific, despite occasional injury setbacks. With contracts expiring at the end of the month, Warne must remain vigilant as top free agents are likely to be swiftly snapped up. The Rams are expected to have an extensive list of transfer targets, but acquiring them will likely require swift and assertive action.