Patrick Roberts breaks away from Dujon Sterling during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Stoke City at the Stadium Of Light.
Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts (left) is a reported transfer target for Derby County
Derby County are stepping up their bid to draft in a winger ahead of transfer deadline day.
The Rams have already expressed an interest in Southampton’s Ben Brereton Diaz but are also reported to be keen on Sunderland promotion-hero Patrick Roberts.
The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports that the 28-year-old wide man - who spent a half season loan spell at Pride Park in 2021 - is “wanted” back by Derby and that while several Championship sides are interested in getting the player on loan, the Rams “could make a cash offer” for the winger “that beats them all”.
Meanwhile, John Eustace is understood to be weighing up a swoop for Saints’ Brereton Diaz as they look to add to their attack before Monday’s 7pm cut off.
The former Nottingham Forest forward’s future is under the spotlight at St Mary’s Stadium after making just two appearances, both of which have come in the League Cup.
The Chile international is now set for a move away from the club and Derby could well be a destination, according to reports.
Brereton-Diaz cost Saints £7m after buying him from Villareal last summer and he spent the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield United.
There he helped them reach the Championship play-off final but they ultimately lost out to Sheffield United at Wembley.
Brereton-Diaz would fill a box that Derby have long wanted to tick with the attacker capable of playing on the wing or as a centre forward.
He can play on both flanks with Derby having chased a winger this window as a result of Corey Blackett-Taylor’s hamstring injury which looks set to keep him out for two to three weeks.
Who would you prefer, Roberts or Brereton Diaz? Click HERE to have your say.
A move for Diaz is likely to be a loan with Derby having one spot available to fill having already signed four players on temporary deals this window.
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