Cameron Jerome would have been a better Derby County addition than Sheffield Wednesday’s Sam Winnall

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Derby County landed Sam Winnall on loan from Wednesday – after reportedly having a bid rejected for Norwich City’s Cameron Jerome.

Derby County loaning Sam Winnall from Sheffield Wednesday could turn out to be an excellent decision.

The striker may have struggled to find the back of the next in his half a season at Hillsborough but an excellent start to last season with Barnsley, culminating in 11 goals in 20 league starts, suggests he could be the reliable centre-forward Derby have been crying out for.

Yet, the Sheffield Star claims that a prolonged stay at Pride Park looks out of the question for Winnall as Derby do not have a purchase option to make his loan move permanent.

Therefore, in 12 months’ time, the chances are that Derby will have to enter the transfer market yet again with a striker in their sights. Winnall is a promising short-term solution but you wonder whether Derby would have been better off targeting a proven Championship striker on a permanent deal instead – like Cameron Jerome for instance.

Wrong man?

The Telegraph reported on transfer deadline day that Derby had made a late attempt to lure Jerome from Norwich City after being linked for much of the transfer window, only to be told they would have to pay at least £3 million.

That doesn’t exactly seem like great business for a 31-year-old.

Yet, Jerome is a proven Championship goalscorer who has helped inspire promotions for both Norwich and Birmingham City in the past. He’s aged well too, with his last two Championship campaigns, in which he scored 16 and 18 goals, the most prolific of his career.

Needless to say, he’d have been a fine addition on paper for the lowest scoring side in the top ten last season, one that famously chokes under the pressure late on in seasons.

Instead, they have a player on loan who has just six months of impressive Championship football under his belt.