Two winners and two losers at Derby County as £3.5m deal for Max Johnston is agreed with Sturm Graz

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Derby County are set to get their hands on Max Johnston in the coming days, with a fee now agreed between themselves and Sturm Graz.

That’s according to Anthony Joseph, who has reported that the two clubs have finalised their negotiations with one another, with personal terms now being worked on between the defender and the Rams.

The East Midlands outfit have been pursuing a deal for the right-back for a number of weeks, and after having a £1.6m bid turned down previously, they will pay an initial £2.2m for Johnston, with a further £1.3m coming in add-ons.

EFL Analysis has taken a look at two players who will be delighted to see the Scottish right-back at Derby, and two potential losers from this deal.

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Two winners and two losers as Derby County close in on Max Johnston

Winner – Kane Wilson

While Kane Wilson may have to fight Johnston for the right-back position in the coming weeks, the addition of the 21-year-old may well just allow Wilson to push further up the pitch.

Eustace is open to playing the ex-Bristol City man in an attacking wing position, and he could be the answer to some of the issues that Derby are currently facing out wide following Corey Blackett-Taylor’s injury.

Wilson has returned to training following knee surgery in the summer, and he may just find himself in a different position to normal when he does return to the Pride Park pitch.

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Loser – Ryan Nyambe

It’s been a difficult start to the season for Ryan Nyambe and he has been outshone by Joe Ward over the course of the last four games in all competitions.

Injuries have plagued the Namibia international’s time in the East Midlands, and John Eustace has a huge decision to make as to whether to keep the ex-Blackburn Rovers man at the club going forward with four potential options at right-back.

Nyambe lacks that cutting edge in attacking positions, and with Johnston likely to be the first-choice right-back, the number 24 at Derby may find it hard to get game time.

Winner – Carlton Morris

Carlton Morris has had an excellent start to life in black-and-white. The striker has already scored three goals in the Championship, with the ex-Luton Town man taking chances from seemingly nothing.

Derby are lucky to have Morris, and adding more quality out wide will only help him. Therefore, moving Wilson further up the pitch through Johnston’s arrival is perfect for the 29-year-old.

Eustace will be keen to get his new attacking line-up formed, and ironically it may just take the addition of a right-back to help with that.

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Loser – Isaac Gordon

Isaac Gordon looked a real talent for Derby in pre-season, but he is yet to feature for the first-team in the regular campaign.

There is no denying that the Rams have plenty of cover at right-back now, and therefore it seems unlikely that Gordon will be able to break into the team in the next few months.

Derby must allow the teenager to go out on loan in the coming days to get him the experience he needs in senior football. However, with Johnston just 21 himself, he could lock down the full-back position at Pride Park for the foreseeable future.