Derby County will reportedly challenge Burnley and Swansea City for Barnsley’s all-action left-back Andy Yiadom.
Derby County may have one of the biggest transfer budgets in the Championship but that does not mean manager Gary Rowett has a straightforward task reducing the 13-point gap to the top six next season.
Financial Fair Play restrictions mean that The Rams cannot merely buy their way into the play-off places. And Rowett will know that he must prioritise quality over quantity and improve not only the squad but the starting XI too.
And, in Barnsley’s Andy Yiadom, Derby may have found a player that ticks every box. HITC sources told us that the attacking left-back is being tracked by the Rams, as well as Premier League duo Swansea City and Barnsley, after impressing at Oakwell since arriving from Barnet.
Andy Yiadom was one of the Championship’s most under-rated defenders in 2016/17
A modern-day full-back equally adept at either end of the pitch, Yiadom was even called up to Ghana’s squad for the African Cup of Nations in January as a reward for his progress at the Yorkshire club.
And though Derby have options at left-back, Craig Forsyth’s injury problems, Max Lowe’s inexperience and Markus Olsson’s defensive deficiencies mean the reliable Yiadom would represent an upgrade.
Derby’s Craig Forsyth only played three league games in 2016/17
In fact, he could be a ready-made member of Rowett’s first XI.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old is entering the final year of his Barnsley contract, meaning Derby may not have to pay top dollar. They can put FFP out of their minds for now.
Moreover, the fact that Swansea and Burnley beleive Yiadom is of Premier League standard just proves that Derby are targeting a player on the up, one capable of providing the platform for a more believable promotion push next season.
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