Derby County face transfer battle with Championship rival for out of contract Premier League defender

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The summer transfer window has officially opened, and Derby County have already been busy in their preparations with the next few months crucial to the success of 2025/26.

After John Eustace’s manager of the season-worthy campaign with both Blackburn Rovers and the Rams in 2024/25, full focus will be on the upcoming Championship season.

Derby ensured their safety on the last day of the campaign, and the aim for the next 12 months will be to take the club further up the table, with belief finally back at Pride Park after a dismal winter saw them sack Paul Warne.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing became the first to leave the Rams before his contract was over at the end of May, with the winger reuniting with Warne at MK Dons. However, new faces are also needed, and a veteran defender from the Premier League is a fresh target for Eustace.

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Derby County face Wrexham battle for Craig Dawson

Defensively, Derby were resolute in the Championship last season, but they are not willing to rest on their laurels with Craig Dawson the latest centre-back to have caught the eye of the East Midlands outfit, as per a report by Alan Nixon.

The Rams have already shown an interest in Danny Batth, alongside his Blackburn teammate Andreas Weimann, and they will face a transfer battle with newly-promoted Wrexham for the signature of the outgoing Wolverhampton Wanderers defender.

Dawson played just 15 games in the Premier League last season, and at 35, he has just a couple of seasons left in his storied career. However, experience is on Eustace’s bucket list – but Batth remains his main target.

Wrexham have Tom Cairney and Aaron Cresswell on their shortlist this summer, and it is clear to see that they are interested in trying to bring in players in their 30s who have spent the majority of their careers in the top flight, a tactic that does come with an element of risk.

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John Eustace is keen to get business done quickly this summer

With the transfer window opening twice this summer, there is plenty of time for John Eustace to bring in the players that he needs to help rebuild a squad that has been lacking in many key areas.

A new striker is particularly needed at Pride Park, although Jerry Yates is unlikely to return after last season’s loan spell. On the defensive side of things, Nat Phillips is on Derby’s radar after his successful spell with the club in 2024/25.

Stephen Pearce, the club’s CEO, has already revealed the Rams’ transfer plan, with the summer starting by bringing in squad players, before the marquee signings join in the latter stages of the window and therefore, it seems as though a player like Dawson would simply come in as cover.

Nevertheless, it is imperative that Derby add quality throughout their ranks as they look to avoid another season where relegation is a real threat.