3 Sam Morsy alternatives Derby County should consider amid Middle East transfer swoop…
Derby County appear to be in the market for a new midfielder after fresh links to Sam Morsy recently surfaced..
Derby County appear to be in the market for a new midfielder after fresh links to Sam Morsy recently surfaced.
Derby County are slowly shaping up their squad during John Eustace’s first transfer window in charge of the team. The DCFC boss has made five signings so far, but he is not done yet.
Having addressed his striking options through the additions of Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang, the centre of midfield is now a focus point for Eustace.
DCFC – Derby County man Carlton Morris
Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS.
Recent reports suggested that the Rams held an interest in Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy, though the 33-year-old’s pending transfer to Kuwait FC means that the Rams must consider other options.
With that in mind, we put forward three alternatives that Derby County would be wise to take a look at…
Josh Laurent – Burnley
Former Stoke City ace Josh Laurent enters the summer transfer window off the back of promotion with Burnley, though has likely now slipped down the pecking order at Turf Moor. He featured 43 times in the second tier last season, coming off the bench on 17 occasions.
Operating as a central, defensive, or attacking midfielder, the 30-year-old closed out the campaign with a number of substitute appearances and may be replaced due to the Clarets’ achieving Premier League football.
Possibly pricier than Morsy due to his age, Laurent could still provide a shrewd addition having entered the final year of his two-year contract at Burnley. Derby County are seeking experience, however, and the English might prove a good fit.
derby county, 3 Sam Morsy alternatives Derby County should consider amid Middle East transfer swoop
Image courtesy of: JASON CAIRNDUFF/REUTERS.
Alan Browne – Sunderland
Another player who may be forced to move on due to his club’s success, Alan Browne might struggle for Premier League minutes with Sunderland. After 10 seasons with Preston North End, the Irishman managed 23 appearances for the Black Cats last term.
Browne suffered a broken leg midway through the 2024/25 campaign, no doubt hindering his game time at the Stadium of Light, though struggled to make any position his own when fit having been used all over the pitch from right-back to centre-forward.
Valued at just under £2m by Transfermarkt, the former Preston man has bags of Championship experience and would be a solid option for a number of second tier sides this summer, including DCFC. Sunderland’s high-spending start on their return to the top flight could leave him with no choice but to move on despite being just one year into his three-year deal up north.
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SCFC – Stoke City boss Mark Robins
Who was the first Championship managerial departure?Steven Schumacher
Ryan Lowe
Erol Bulut
Mark Robins
Ben Pearson – Stoke City
Perhaps the cheapest alternative on this list, and another with two years left on their deal, Ben Pearson of Stoke City might provide a neat option for Derby County to consider. Following a lengthy injury, he featured just 13 times for the Potters once recovered last season.
Fitting the mould of experienced and versatile Championship midfielder, the 30-year-old wound up at the bet365 Stadium on loan from Bournemouth during the 22/23 campaign after making seven Premier League appearances for the Cherries. Pearson then signed a four-year deal with Stoke the following summer.
Featuring mainly as a defensive midfielder, the ex-Manchester United academy ace has made 60 appearances for the Staffordshire outfit and could possibly depart as part of a reshuffle under Mark Robins. He fits the profile that DCFC are seemingly after, and a deal might be easier to complete in comparison to that of Laurent or Browne.
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