Derby County have signed two players so far in this transfer window but there is a lot of work still to be done
Lewis Koumas
Lewis Koumas spent time on loan at Birmingham and Hull City last season(Image: PA)
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Derby County have some serious recruiting to do, not just to improve on last season’s squad but to even get back to a level footing with a group reliant on loan players.
Of course the foundations are there, with players like Lewis Travis, Matt Clarke, Carlton Morris, Derry Murkin and Bobby Clark a very fine start a good Championship XI.
However, the loss of loan players Ben Brereton-Diaz, David Ozoh, Sammie Szmodics and particularly Jaydon Banel leave John Eustace light.
The wing positions stand out as needing reinforcement, with Brereton-Diaz and Banel significant contributors towards the end of the season, especially the latter after Patrick Agyemang’s gut-wrenching injury.
That has left the Rams linked with several wide players, most recently and most emphatically Brighton’s Tommy Watson, who had a stop-start first season in the Premier League and who is expected to go out on loan this summer.
Knowing Rams’ expertise in the loan market and vacancy on the left flank, we’ve put together a list of five options, either permanent or temporary solutions – starting with Watson.
Tommy Watson (Brighton)
The 20-year-old was first linked with Derby – and five other clubs – by the Sunderland Echo, who covered his rise through the ranks of the Black Cats’ youth set-up.
Watson came through the system on Wearside and wrote his name into club folklore when he scored a stoppage time winner in the play-off final at Wembley in 2025.
By that time he had already agreed a £10m move to Brighton, for whom he struggled with injury and a lack of opportunity in the first half of last season.
For that reason he was sent on loan to Millwall for the second part of the campaign, and similarly he couldn’t make much of an impact.
The noises are that he needs a full season of regular football at a good standard to make the next step in his career.
Tommy Watson
Tommy Watson during his time at Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)
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Emilio Lawrence (Man City)
The 20-year-old joined City from Everton in 2022 and was given his first taste of senior football on loan with Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town in the second half of last season.
The Mancunian, who has played age group international with both England and more recently Scotland, ended up starting the final 13 League One matches of the season and overall contributed a goal and five assists.
He also scored the equaliser in the 3-1 EFL Trophy victory over Stockport at Wembley and made a really favourable impression on Hatters fans.
Indeed Wilshere was not dismissed the idea of taking him back on loan this season – if clubs further up the food-chain don’t get there first. The former Arsenal man said: “Ultimately, that would be down to him and Man City. I think he done really well. Sometimes then, players and clubs, the next step is obviously to go up a league.
“However, I made my opinion clear to Emilio that that’s not always necessarily the best step, and spending some more time with us, he knows us, we know him, can actually prepare him higher than he thinks he can. So, yeah, we’re working on that one.”
Joel Ndala (Man City)
Another City youngster who spent last in the EFL, but not as profitable a one as Lawrence.
Ndala has come through the City academy but has spent most of the last two years away from the Etihad Stadium.
The 20-year-old joing Jong PSV in September 2024 but was then reallocated to Nottingham Forest five months later. He didn’t feature for either clubs’ senior side.
Last July he was sent to Hull City where he made 19 appearances but in mid-season went to Sheffield Wednesday in search of more minutes – which didn’t really materialise. He made only three starts and was left out of the Owls’ run-in, amid reports of lateness.
Joel Ndala spent the first half of the season on loan at Hull City
Joel Ndala spent the first half of the season on loan at Hull City(Image: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Reyes Cleary (Barnsley)
The 22-year-old came through the West Brom academy before cutting ties last summer and moving to Barnsley.
It proved to be a step back to go forward and the Birmingham-born attacker soon found his feet. Cleary scored seven goals and registered 13 assists in League One and also impressed in an FA Cup tie at Liverpool where he won man of the match.
Barnsley officials have spoken of extensive interest in the youngster, with Derby one of the clubs linked to a player who could well move on this season.
The Reds have already received approaches for Cleary, having rejected offers of up to £3million in January, and chief executive Jon Flatman said: “There has been interest in Reyes this summer and we’ll continue to monitor that situation as we’ve said all along.
“He is a quality footballer and quality footballers will attract attention from other clubs. His age makes him a very exciting option for clubs.”
Lewis Koumas (Liverpool)
Even with Mo Salah gone, the 20-year-old has little chance of becoming a regular for Liverpool this season – but he at least starts the campaign on a decent footing.
Koumas, son of former West Brom midfielder Jason, has made an impact on the international level with Wales – one that seemed unlikely when he was loaned to Birmingham last summer.
Indeed he scored his first international goal against Ghana in June and Wales head coach Craig Bellamy was thrilled saying: “There’s a lot to like about Koumy. He’s such a young player and I’m over the moon he got his goal because he’s deserved it.”
Before that the winger struggled for opportunities in Chris Davies’ team and when he did get them he was wasteful with the ball. There was the odd flash of why he was at Liverpool but not enough to see him stay the whole season at Blues.
Instead he was recalled and sent to Hull, where had a much more positive experience. He was used primarily off the bench by Sergej Jakirovic but still registered three goals – including one in a 4-2 win over the Rams in February.
When he’s in a rhythm Koumas is a very good athlete, with good pace and – he has shown at Hull – an ability to impact games. At this stage a return to the MKM Stadium and the Premier League seems unlikely.
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