The Premier League loan market has been a fruitful avenue for Derby County to explore in the past and they should do so again this summer.
Now Derby County are back in the Championship and are no longer hamstrung by spending limitations, the Rams can splash some cash this summer.
While many are clamouring for the club to spend millions, that isn’t a realistic possibility and instead, they will be working within their means in this window.
Derby are looking to get the ball rolling on the transfer front by signing Ebou Adams from Cardiff City, although their £250,000 bid was thwarted with the Bluebirds demanding £500,000.
It shows their intent to get some permanent signings through the door early, though that shouldn’t stop them from exploring the loan market.
Derby County’s most successful loan players
Derby’s success with loan players is well-documented.
During the Frank Lampard era, the former Chelsea midfielder was able to attract several young talents from Stamford Bridge, with Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori joining on loan in the 2018/19 campaign.
Although that season ended in heartbreak with a play-off final defeat, the quality of Tomori, Mount and Harry Wilson was pivotal to securing a top-six finish.
In the present day, Adams arrival in January was a piece of business that propelled the Rams into second, as his tenacious and energetic displays set the tone for a strong 2024.
Derby should use that loan success as inspiration, but this time, dip into the Premier League for a talented youngster on loan.
Derby County should look at signing Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
A loan signing is an efficient way of saving money but still reaping the benefits of a talent that would otherwise cost millions.
In the case of Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Derby would be getting a lightning-quick player – described as having “great potential” by teammate Marc Guehi – to help give them added pace and trickery in the final third.
Rak-Sakyi has already enjoyed a productive loan spell, lighting up League One with Charlton Athletic. In the 2022/23 campaign, he plundered 15 goals and provided eight assists in 43 appearances.
Unfortunately, Palace decided to keep the 21-year-old instead of loaning him out to a Championship club this term.
This has seen his development stagger as Rak-Sakyi made just six appearances from the bench before suffering a grade two hamstring tear against Burnley in November.
The Englishman has since announced his return from injury by scoring a hat-trick against Tottenham under-21s in Premier League 2, which suggests a long spell out hasn’t knocked his confidence.
Still, the Eagles should consider loaning him out to a second-tier side, with Derby surely showing an interest in the Englishman.
If Warne decides to use a 4-3-3 system next term, Rak-Sakyi looks like the perfect player to take his spot on the right wing, rivalling Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on the opposite flank.
The Rams are crying out for some depth in forward positions and the young Palace winger would add blistering pace, skill and end product in abundance.
It’s such attributes that will be crucial to consolidating their place in the second tier.
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