Derby County are apparently looking to sign a ‘great’ attacking player who was recently released by rivals Nottingham Forest.
Now that the promotion festivities have concluded, Paul Warne has began organizing Derby County’s return to the Championship. The Rams finished second in League One and qualified for the second division with a 2-0 win against Carlisle United on the final day.
Unfortunately, Warne has had to say farewell to six first-team players from the promotion-winning group, including captain Conor Hourihane and Golden Glove Award winner Joe Wildsmith.
This has made conducting business even more difficult this summer, but it looks that boosting his offensive is a top priority. The Derby manager wants to add plenty of pace and athleticism, which could explain why they’ve been connected with Oxford United’s Josh Murphy.
Derby finished last season as the equal lowest scorers among top-six teams, and with Warne describing 2017 Championship as the toughest he’s seen in years, attacking reinforcements are required, with the Rams connected with a Premier League attacker.
Derby County seek Ateef Konate, released by Nottingham Forest
According to Africa Foot, Derby are one of numerous Championship, League One and European clubs interested in attacking midfielder Ateef Konate. The report adds the Rams, Sunderland, Birmingham City, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Westerlo and Vitesse Arnhem are all keeping tabs on the Frenchman.
Recently released by rivals Nottingham Forest, Konate is a talented teenager who was regarded by former under-21’s boss, Dave Rogers, as a “fantastic” potential, with the statistics underpinning that claim.
Although the 23-year-old only made three first-team appearances, he was a prolific scorer and creator of chances in the under 21’s, plundering 22 goals and supplying 12 assists in 55 appearances.
Konate struggled to make the breakthrough into the Forest senior team but following his departure from the club, as revealed in their retained list, the talented midfielder could be a risk worth taking. Ateef Konate could be part of midfield rebuild at Derby
Warne is presented with a blank canvas in midfield this summer following the departure of Max Bird while Hourihane and Korey Smith were also released at the end of the season.
The Rams do want to bring Ebou Adams back permanently but there is a clamour for a creative force just ahead of a midfield duo, with Konate more than capable of providing it.
If the Derby manager sticks with a 3-4-1-2 formation in the Championship, he’ll need to sign an attacking midfielder to play behind the two attackers.
While Konate lacks experience, his profile could meet their needs because he is physically strong, adept at controlling the ball with both feet, and has a keen eye for goal.
The Frenchman also presents a low-risk and cost-efficient option on a free transfer and having welcomed Tyrese Fornah to the club last summer, Derby might repeat the trick with Konate.
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