Derby County are close to missing out on yet another summer transfer target as Viktor Johansson’s release clause has been activated by a club in the Championship, according to reports.
The Rams have now begun preparing for life back in England’s second tier, having earned promotion out of League One on the final day of the season last month with a 2-0 win over Carlisle United. Derby will also be joined by title-winners Portsmouth and either Bolton Wanderers or Oxford United, who face off against one another in the play-off final this coming weekend.
It’s been two years since Derby County were last in the Championship but the club are in a far better place now under the ownership of lifelong fan David Clowes. As a result, Paul Warne’s men will be active in the transfer market as they look to bolster their squad.
One player that was linked with a move to Pride Park is Rotherham United goalkeeper Johansson. The Swedish shot-stopper played under Warne during his time in charge of the South Yorkshire outfit and journalist Alan Nixon reported a fortnight ago that Johansson was one name on Derby’s list this summer.
However, this deal looks like it won’t be coming to fruition anytime soon as Stoke City have activated his £900,000 release clause at the New York Stadium, according to John Percy of The Telegraph, with the Potters now closing in on the 25-year-old’s signature.
It was also revealed last week that the Rams had identified Charlton Athletic fullback Thierry Small as an option to strengthen Warne’s backline ahead of next season. Unfortunately, the Addicks confirmed on Thursday afternoon that they had triggered the one-year extension clause in the youngster’s contract, keeping him at The Valley until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Writer’s View
Unfortunately, for clubs like Derby County, they will always have to have lengthy transfer lists because they cannot always compete with clubs with bigger budgets. While Warne seemed interested in bringing in competition for Joe Wildsmith, signing a goalkeeper for close to £1 million, when there are other priorities in the squad, was never realistic.
Missing out on Small was potentially a bigger loss in the transfer market than failing to come out on top in the race for Johansson. The 19-year-old is an exciting fullback who could have improved the club’s depth at the back but it’s understandable that Charlton wanted to keep him around after his impressive displays since joining as a free agent in February on a six-month deal.