Derby County will offer midfielder Max Bird a new contract as they look to fight off interest from Championship outfit Hull City, according to Hull Live.
The 23-year-old was the subject of two bids from the Tigers in the summer, although Derby held firm in their stance that their former academy graduate was not for sale. However, it was understood that the player was interested in a move to the MKM Stadium and a reunion with Liam Rosenior – who played a key role in his development during his time at Pride Park as a coach.
An injury suffered in the League One clash against Oxford United in August saw Hull alter their plans, and the midfielder returned to the side at the end of September.
Bird has made 176 appearances for the East Midlands club since his debut in 2017 and is in the final year of his contract, although his age means that they would not lose their star for free at the end of the season – where players under the age of 24 would see their parent club receive compensation should they move on to pastures new.
The Humberside club are not expected to wait though and are reportedly set to launch a fresh assault once the transfer window reopens in January. Hull Live claim that Bird still remains keen on the switch. However, County manager Paul Warne is refusing to give up hope in the situation and has confirmed that fresh terms will be offered – alongside teammate Eiran Cashin.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s League One clash with Bristol Rovers, via Derbyshire Live, the 50-year-old said;
“Both will be offered a new deal.
“I would like to think that the possibility is they would like to sign, but that is something you would obviously have to ask them. Why wouldn’t they be offered a new deal?
“It is the time prior to January to try to convince them to sign. It’s not just the players you have to convince but their advisors too. I would like to think we can convince them both to stay but I am not naive enough not to realise that people will be whispering in their ears.”
Cashin was targeted by the Premier League’s Brighton & Hove Albion throughout the summer and, like Bird, could be subject to more interest in January. Warne is certainly expecting more approaches;
“I am pretty much. There haven’t been any players who I’ve bid for in the summer in my own career that I’ve gone off three months later.
“Generally speaking, it is absence makes the heart grow fonder. Historically, for me and I can only speak for me, is that when I’ve had a bid turned down in the summer I try to return to it in January unless I know it’s absolutely impossible. It wouldn’t surprise me to have offers for Cash and Birdy because they are very good players. I wouldn’t actually say it’s the same clubs that were rumoured to be interested in them during the summer either. It could be anyone.
“You always have to be aware of the fact that if you have good players in a good team like they are, there is always going to be interest from outside clubs. If there wasn’t then they are not as good as we think they are. I would be offended if clubs didn’t show interest.”
Writer’s View
Derby are likely to struggle to retain the services of both players, especially because the interest is coming from clubs in higher divisions.
In the case of Max Bird, he enjoys a good relationship with Liam Rosenior and will fancy his chances of taking the step up to the Championship, where he previously played with Derby before their relegation to League One in 2022. However, Paul Warne will be hoping that his side can achieve promotion this season, which could convince the young midfielder to remain at Pride Park.
Head of Writing
