John Eustace urged to seal Derby County transfer deal with Liverpool – He is a “perfect age”..
This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
John Eustace is bidding to bolster his Derby County squad with a clutch of exciting new additions as he heads underway for his first transfer window and full campaign in the Pride Park managerial hotseat.
The 45-year-old managed to keep Derby in the Championship on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign after arriving back in March following the dismissal of Paul Warne, which came at a stage when the Rams appeared increasingly consigned to suffer an immediate return to League One.
Both Derby and Eustace now have their sights set much higher than firefighting for a second successive season, however, and the club are looking to be active in the transfer market this summer.
According to John Percy of The Telegraph, a deal has been agreed with Luton Town for Carlton Morris, who scored 11 Premier League goals with the Hatters in the 2023/24 term.
Carlton Morris applauds the Luton Town support
Percy has also revealed that Eustace is closing in on a double reunion with two of his former Blackburn Rovers players in Danny Batth and ex-Rams forward Andi Weimann, while the East Midlands outfit have reportedly seen a bid rejected by Hull City for impressive full-back Cody Drameh.
Derby urgently need to address the full-back department despite freshly agreeing a new two-year contract for club stalwart Craig Forsyth.
As per Football Insider, the Rams are lining up a loan move for Liverpool left-back Owen Beck, who was signed by Eustace at Blackburn last season and appears poised to head out of Anfield on a temporary basis once again this summer.
John Eustace urged to seal reunion with Liverpool’s Owen Beck at Derby County
22-year-old Beck featured on 25 occasions for Blackburn in the Championship last time out, with the back-end of the ex-Wales youth international’s season disrupted by injuries.
Owen Beck
Beck, however, made a considerable impression when fit at Ewood Park. FLW asked our resident Derby fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, whether he believes the signing of Beck would be an exciting one if the Rams can get it done.
In Shaun’s view, it would “tick a lot of boxes” and Beck’s youth would be a welcome addition to what is an ageing squad. Shaun recognises the need for reinforcements at left-back and believes that Beck could prove a quality acquisition at Pride Park.
“This signing would tick a lot of boxes,” Shaun told FLW.
“It’s an area we desperately need to strengthen in, whether it’s left wing-back or full-back, we really need some competition there.
Owen Beck X John Eustace X Carlton Morris
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“We need youth, we’ve got a lot of ageing players in our squad that we’re trying to get rid of and to bring in someone of his age – 22 is a perfect age – he’s only going to get better.
“He’s got a bit of experience now in the Scottish Premier League and with Blackburn last season, so Eustace knows him well. He’s played quite a few games for someone young in the last couple of seasons, and he’s impressed wherever he’s been.
Owen Beck’s career stats, via FotMob
Years
Club
Appearances
Goals
Assists
2021-
Liverpool
3
0
0
2022
Familicao (loan)
0
0
0
2022-2023
Bolton Wanderers (loan)
9
0
0
2023-2024
Dundee FC (loan)
28
2
4
2024-2025
Blackburn Rovers (loan)
25
1
0
“So it would be a very good signing and he’s someone we could really do with getting in to strengthen our full-back area, because it’s an area we desperately need to have competition in.
“I would be really happy to see him come in.”
Liverpool’s Owen Beck would give Derby County a different left-sided profile
Beck would offer a more youthful and dynamic dimension to Derby’s left-hand side, with the defender capable operating as either a left-back or in a more advanced wing-back position.
A product of the Liverpool academy long tipped for a glittering career, Beck is aggressive and front-footed in possession and likes to attack his opposite number with marauding runs before getting crosses into the area.
Owen Beck
His attack-minded nature could be particularly fruitful for Derby next season with the impending addition of Morris, an instinctive and physical frontman who thrives when receiving service from wide areas.
Beck is defensively sound, too, and would offer an upgrade on the aforementioned Forsyth, who was a regular last season at the ripe old age of 36 but may need to be shifted out in favour of younger blood.
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