Derby County have submitted a bid for Arka Gdynia winger Olaf Kobacki, according to a report by Football League World.
The newly promoted Rams are joined by Norwich City in lodging a bid for the Pole, who scored 16 goals in all competitions last season as his side finished third in the Polish Second tier before missing out in the playoffs.
Kobacki has been with the Bulldogs since signing in 2022 from Italian side Atalanta, whom he had left his homeland for as a 16-year-old.
Having added a further seven assists to his impressive goal tally, the 22-year-old now looks set to leave after his side missed out on a place in Poland’s top flight.
Former club Atalanta has a buyback clause but Kobacki’s likely destination is said to be the English Championship.
Derby has been active in the market already as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of a return to the second tier. Ben Osbourne has already signed on at Pride Park and Ipswich Town’s Kayden Jackson will sign upon the expiration of his deal with the Tractor Boys.
The Canaries are looking to improve their squad as they look to go further than last season’s playoff semi-final loss. With new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup at the helm, City have already spent over £3 million on Panamanian centre-back José Córdoba.
The Carrow Road outfit could lose 13-goal man Jonathan Rowe amid reported Premier League interest and are eyeing Kobacki to replace those goals.
While the value of the bids made by Rams and Canaries is not public knowledge, Transfermarkt value the Poland Under 20 International at around £450,000.
Writer’s View
Kobacki is a player with a pedigree who received his footballing education in a great environment. The 2023-24 season could be viewed as his ‘breakout’ campaign due to his goal contributions and consistency of performance.
The rigours of the English Championship will be different to what he is used to in the Polish second tier but he is at an age that allows for plenty of development with a more than manageable price tag.
Should his destination be England, the former Atalanta man has a big decision to make on the move that is best for his career. He could provide either side with the extra attacking prowess needed to achieve their goals.
