Reports today suggested that DCFC have been knocked back in three separate bids for players on their radar. As the search for a ‘Director of Football’ continues, it seems filling that position is becoming more urgent by the day.
Rams Feeling Rejected!
It is nothing new that a first or second offer for a player can be rebuffed in a transfer tussle but in scenes that resemble the Conor Sammon saga, it seems the Rams are undervaluing what their targets are worth to their current clubs.
Today various newspaper outlets have suggested that Derby have had three separate bids rejected.
Barnsley has turned down a rumoured £700,000 bid for their club Captain Jason Shackell. As the Reds are currently manager-less, their director has made it clear that the Rams will have to wait until there is a number one in place to decide the players future.
Kilmarnock has also slammed the door on Clough with a £300,000 bid for Craig Bryson. To land the Killie Captain it is believed the Rams offered extra payments on appearances and performance on top of the fee but the SPL club would much prefer those add-ons and a much improved fee.
To round out the disappointing day of transfer targeting – Aberdeen striker Chris Maguire was denied a mover after a £300,000 bid failed. The player is the subject of a compensation dispute and although it seemed to be quite clear for days that if the situation went to tribunal the club would be awarded £400,000, the Rams in their wisdom still went ahead and offered only two thirds of that amount.
This one could get messy as it is believed that Derby has agreed on terms with the 22 year old hit man and have requested he head to Pride Park soon for a medical. It seems as if the Rams may stick to their current offer which would be an embarrassing result should a tribunal order the Rams to pay the extra amount, when it seems quite clear that is what is required to smooth the situation over.
You should always start low in your offers for anything and work your way up to what you are willing to pay but if the Rams really want a player has the time come to stop stuffing about. Knowing what will be needed before you begin might be helpful.
Offering a lesser fee to a player that is the subject of a compensation claim is surely reasonably clear cut. A lesser amount only raises the profile of the player and alerts other clubs who may not already be looking at him.
That situation really goes for all of the players the club is in for.
If Glick and co. rattles the money tin too loud, as was the case with Sammon, another suitor could swoop in for the kill and leave the Rams starving.
The touted ‘Technical Director’ seems to be becoming urgently required as the right man saying and doing the right things may smooth over these issues by being aware of what the club in question wants for their player and in turn get the deal done without drawing too much attention to Derby.
At the moment it seems Clough is identifying his targets and Glick is unable to get the deals over the line.
No matter what you think of the targets - this situation needs fixing and fixing fast.
Pringle Pops Off
RamZone would like to farewell Ben Pringle who has been told he can leave Derby even though he has a year to run on his recently extended contract.
After only starting seven matches for the Rams the 21 year old midfielder was sent out on loan to Torquay united but made the unusual decision to leave the club to return and try to win a place in the Rams team.
Unfortunately for Ben he was unable to do so and perhaps the decision to return, which we would assume was against the wishes of the manager, may have cost him his future at Pride Park. Clough stated when he re-signed him he had a bright future but it seems he may not have been so bright after all.
I am sure all Rams fans would like to wish Ben the best wherever he pops up next as although he never quite got there, always gave everything on the pitch when wearing a Derby shirt.