Paul Warne is utilising his Derby County transfer model at MK Dons, now another free agent is in ‘talks’

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After a bitterly disappointing 2025/26 campaign, MK Dons are moving quickly in the transfer market as they look for a return to League One.

Paul Warne is quickly building a team prepared for promotion, and with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing already through the door at Stadium MK, it’s been a good start to the summer transfer window.

EFL Analysis revealed last week that David McGoldrick is closing in on a move to MK, as the former Derby County striker looks to reunite with his ex-manager and there is now a fourth player who Warne is interested in after Rushian Hepburn-Murphy joined on Wednesday.

With it looking like just a matter of time until McGoldrick joins, it is clear to see that the Dons are going to be pushing for the League Two title and now they are in talks to add a new defender to their ranks.

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MK Dons open talks with Gethin Jones

Milton Keynes are open to bringing Richie Smallwood to the club this summer, but the departing Bradford City captain is not the only centre-back who Warne is interested in.

A report from Alan Nixon on Wednesday afternoon has stated that the Buckinghamshire outfit are pushing to sign Gethin Jones, as he parts ways with Bolton Wanderers.

Nixon said: “MK Dons are in talks with Aussie defender Gethin Jones to sign on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers.

“Jones left Bolton at the end of his deal and could join Paul Warne’s new look side after a whirlwind move. Warne is trying to find seasoned pros to build a core in his team and Jones fits ideally with his plan.”

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Paul Warne is resorting to a transfer technique that worked at Derby County

Before Warne was sacked by Derby and replaced by John Eustace, the ex-Rotherham United boss oversaw five transfer windows across two different divisions.

His plan in each window was obvious as the Rams were under a financial plan for the majority of those, and the club had to use their initiative by bringing in free agents who had plenty of experience in both the division they were in and beyond.

The likes of McGoldrick, James Collins and Mendez-Laing all made big impressions during their time at Pride Park, while Curtis Nelson remains at the club.

If Warne can have a similar level of success with MK Dons, then they will surely run away with the title in League Two and return to a division that their head coach has a real nous for.