Blow for Fulham as Gary Rowett comments on Chris Martin’s Derby County future

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Chris Martin has spent a difficult season on loan at Fulham – and, in truth, Derby County should never have let him go.

With Nigel Pearson’s baffling decision to let Derby County’s talismanic striker leave on loan for Fulham on transfer deadline day undermining any hopes The Rams had of fighting for promotion this season, at least Gary Rowett is aiming to rectify the mistake.

As reported by Get West London, the manager confirmed that Martin would indeed be returning to Pride Park at the end of the season.

Consequently, this suggests that Fulham have no desire to exercise their option to sign him permanently for £9 million upon the culmination of his loan, as reported by the BBC.

Second chance?

Despite Martin hitting ten league goals for the promotion chasers, this is perhaps no surprise. After all, the Scotland international has endured a turbulent season at Craven Cottage and was publically criticised by manager Slavisa Jokanovic (below) after attempting to engineer a return to the East Midlands in January.

And with Rowett confirming the striker’s future, it appears that the arrangement will suit all parties.

“I spoke to Chris. The general feeling is he wants to come back,” Rowett said in quotes reported by Get West London.

“He’s contracted to the club, he’s coming back. He’s a player I think the team has missed. At this moment in time, Chris Martin is our player and I fully expect him to be here next season.”

This means that Fulham will likely be in the market for another striker to replace Martin in the summer. And, in truth, the £9 million price tag would be a little steep for a player who has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks.

Wolves may also be disappointed with these developments after The Sun claimed they were hoping to lure Martin to Molineux in January.

Though with only Aston Villa scoring fewer goals than Derby in the Championship’s top half, you could hardly blame Rowett for wanting the club’s most prolific striker back.