It seems the ‘big ticket’ signing many Rams fans have been hoping for has once again become unlikely with Nigel Clough seemingly pulling out of the race for striker Gary Hooper.
Reports in today’s press have indicated that Scunthorpe is asking a price well above what the Rams are willing to pay for the player.
Clough still hopes that a deal can be done for the prolific goal scorer who put it into the back of the net 19 times during the last Championship season.
But the 22 year old may have to be removed from his shopping list as Clough himself admitted to the press:
"Scunthorpe want an awful lot of money for him and we already have six strikers on our books”.
"The combination of those things mean we won't be adding him at the moment."
It could be a bluff but I for one would like to know what “an awful lot of money” is?
Considering the continued support of season ticket holders whom pay quite an “awful lot of money” for the privilege of watching their beloved Rams, perhaps an idea of what that large monetary sum is would assist in their understanding.
Nigel may be bluffing to force Scunthorpe’s hand in the matter but as has been the case over recent seasons we may see another club swoop in and secure the players signature for a fee that many of us would consider reasonable.
Am I sounding jaded? Perhaps. Although we have six strikers on the books I find it hard to believe that the likes of Varney and Hulse would not be of interest to other Championship clubs looking for goals. Both can score at this level and if it is a case of needing them off the wage bill surely they could be moved on for a slightly reduced fee.
Hooper is the type of player Derby need up front and the Rams must show some ambition in chasing improvement and ultimately promotion. Cut price buys and young hungry players will only take you so far. A sprinkling of quality is required.
It is Nigel I feel for most as although no team should pay silly money for a player, you would like to think that it is time for the owners to open their purses a bit wider and give the fans something to genuinely get excited about.
Quality signings provide that excitement and a little of that is long overdue for Derby County fans.
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