Derby County’s pursuit of Ebou Adams is not yet over, with the club submitting an offer to Cardiff City according to the latter’s manager, Erol Bulut, in an interview with BBC Sport.
There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the future of Adams, much of that down to a starring loan spell with the Rams last season. Bulut would allow the midfielder, who made 11 Championship appearances in the first half of the season, to join Derby in January. That was a move which worked out very well for both the club and the player.
With eight of those 11 appearances for the Welsh outfit coming off of the bench, Adams would gain consistent minutes when making the move to the then-League One side. He’d in fact start 17 consecutive games for Paul Warne’s side, establishing himself as a key man in the heart of the midfield in the process.
The addition of Adams in the January transfer window almost certainly aided Derby’s promotion chances and his performances in a white shirt would help them get over the line. A second-placed finish, in turn rewarding them automatic promotion, will see the Derbyshire side return to the Championship next term and there’s no reason why the club cannot continue their upwards trajectory.
However, it does still represent a step-up in class and new additions to the squad will be needed to cope with that said step-up in quality. As a result, Derby are trying to get Adams, who has 18 international caps for The Gambia, on a permanent deal.
With him seemingly out of favour at Cardiff, this could be a move which works, and the midfielder obviously enjoyed his previous spell at Pride Park. Journalist Darren Witcoop on Twitter (X), confirmed that both clubs remain in talks over a deal, yet don’t want to settle for less on their part.
Cardiff boss Erol Bulut has also confirmed that an offer has been submitted by the Rams, but this hasn’t yet been accepted. In an interview with BBC Sport, the Bluebirds’ manager said:
“As far as I know we got an offer from Derby County but nothing is finalised, so until that moment, Ebou Adams is still a Cardiff City player.”
“We didn’t want to risk him [against Kidderminster in pre-season] because we are close [to a deal] but in football you never know. Things may not get done and today we didn’t use him but tomorrow is another day, we never know”.
Writer’s View
It seems as if Derby are moving even closer to the permanent signing of Adams, who will no doubt be a welcomed addition at Pride Park. The fact that he was left out of Cardiff’s squad for a pre-season game shows that he is close to a move, although nothing is finalised just yet.
If he is to move this summer, then it is one that makes sense for all parties. Derby get a player who they know fits in and bring quality to the club, Adams will get consistent minutes and Cardiff will get a fee. There’s plenty to like about it and the midfielder could help the Rams to continue their progress.
Despite only just being promoted back to the Championship, they won’t want to just be making up the numbers and Paul Warne’s side will be expected to be competitive.
