Derby County set to make ‘no-brainer’ transfer decision this summer, fans and John Eustace already love him

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Derby County brought their 2024/25 season to a conclusion on Friday as they announced their retained list following the confirmation of their survival in the Championship. But, we can exclusively reveal one player may well end up sticking around.

Promotion-winners Conor Washington, Sonny Bradley, Tom Barkhuizen and Tyrese Fornah all departed the club while Erik Pieters, Jeff Hendrick and Kemar Roofe also bid farewell after joining the Rams on short-term deals after the January transfer window.

After a Manager of the Year worthy performance, John Eustace and his recruitment team look to have made the decisions that many at Derby expected. Now, attention turns to bringing in new faces at Pride Park as the club look to push towards mid-table next season.

However, one familiar face who made a name for himself over the course of the last nine months may just be on his way back to the East Midlands this summer.

• READ MORE: Derby County fans all believe David Clowes’ latest move can only mean one thing, they expect ‘announcement’ soon

Derby County may just land the return of Nat Phillips in the summer transfer window

Nat Phillips joined Derby on loan on deadline day in August 2024, and despite a slow start to life in black-and-white, the departure of Eiran Cashin to Brighton & Hove Albion in January saw his importance grow exponentially.

In an EFL Analysis exclusive, we can reveal that the Rams have a strong chance of seeing the centre-back return for the 2025/26 campaign on a permanent deal with his contract at Liverpool set to expire this summer.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told us: “I think there’s a good chance that Phillips ends up at Derby. He’s been brilliant for John Eustace. It’s an absolute no-brainer really in my opinion.”

On his contract situation at Liverpool, Bailey added: “There very well may be an option to extend his contract, most players do have that. I’d be very surprised if Liverpool took the option to renew his deal, though. Even if he had time left I expect they would let him go and include a sell-on clause anyway.”

• READ MORE: John Eustace hands Derby County £10,000,000 financial boost in new investor hunt after David Clowes statement

Nat Phillips would give John Eustace the strength he needs at the back

After Matt Clarke’s Derby contract was extended until 2028 on Thursday, the new season is already starting to shape up to be one that Eustace will be excited for.

Phillips was well-loved by Rams supporters during his year-long loan, and he has already played more times for the Rams than any other club in his career after spending the last few campaigns with the likes of AFC Bournemouth, Cardiff City, Celtic and Stuttgart.

The 28-year-old looked settled in a back five alongside Clarke and Sondre Langas, with Derby’s defensive strength playing a huge part in their survival.

While he will have to take a drop in wages to return to Pride Park once his time with Liverpool comes to an end, he knows just how well liked he is by both the manager and those in the stands in DE24, and a move makes perfect sense.