Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom may return to Derby County this summer – but will he be joined by Hearts flyer Callum Paterson too?
It’s hard to believe that Andre Wisdom is still only 23 years of age. Making his Liverpool debut all the way back in 2012 under Brendan Rodgers, the career of the Leeds-born defender has stalled in recent seasons.
Not that a series of never-ending loan spells have helped him settle. Wisdom is currently cruising towards the Austrian league title with Red Bull Salzburg, his fourth different club in four seasons.
However, it was a spell at Derby County in 2013/14 that remains the stand-out season of a nomadic career. Wisdom was an almost ever-present under Steve McClaren, featuring 34 times as The Rams suffered play-off final heart-break to Bobby Zamora’s QPR.
Therefore, it’s perhaps no surprise that Derby want him back next season – this time on a permanent basis. The Echo reports that Liverpool will demand £4 million for Wisdom this summer and Derby are more than willing to meet his price tag.
A solid one-on-one defender capable of playing at right-back or centre-half, Wisdom’s versatility will surely appeal to Rams boss Gary Rowett as he aims to build a squad capable of putting up a sustained fight for the top six next season.
Furthermore, with regular right-backs Cyrus Christie and Chris Baird out of contract next summer, Wisdom would be what could be a long-term filling a gap in Rowett’s squad.
And this may suggest that Derby have calmed their reported interest in Hearts youngster Callum Paterson. The Derby Telegraph reports that the club were interested in signing the 22-year-old when his contract expires in the summer, only for a serious knee injury suffered in December ruling him out for nine months.
The Derby Telegraph adds that Cardiff City have not been put off and may still make a move, with Hearts due a development fee of just £425,000.
However, with Derby’s right back situation uncertain, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they could look to bring more than one in.
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