Derby County midfielder Tom Ince has been sublime this season, and will undoubtedly have caught the eye of many clubs.
Tom Ince celebrates scoring for Derby
Despite their fairly up-and-down season this year, Derby County midfielder Tom Ince has been in sublime form. The winger, who joined the Rams on a permanent basis in 2015 after a loan spell, has scored 13 goals and made five assists this season, including a last-gasp winner against Birmingham City last weekend.
With the Rams looking unlikely to reach the play-offs this season, Gary Rowett will desperate to keep hold of Tom Ince this summer, with the winger likely to play a big part in the former Birmingham City manager’s plans for a promotion push next season. But after playing as well as he has been, could the Rams face a battle to hold on to their star man?
Back in January, The Sun reported that Newcastle United were interested in signing the Derby midfielder. However, such a move was quickly laughed off by the then Derby manager Steve McClaren, who has of course since left the club.
With the Magpies looking set for Premier League football, and a big boost in funds, there’s no reason why Rafa Benitez couldn’t come back for Tom Ince with a sizeable bid in the summer. But it would take a lot of money to convince Derby County owner Mel Morris to part with his prize asset.
Derby County’s Tom Ince has a shot blocked by Newcastle United’s Vurnon Anita
Some may not know it, but Derby County are one of the wealthiest clubs in the Championship. Multi-millionaire owner Mel Morris has invested heavily in his boyhood club since taking full control at Pride Park in 2015, and desperatly wants to see his side reach the top flight.
Will he be in the habit of selling the Rams best players then? No chance. Not unless almost unthinkable money came in. This ended up being the case for Derby County midfielder Jeff Hendrick, who the club sold to Burnley for the massive fee of £10.5 million, according to the BBC.
A word of warning then, to clubs hoping to swoop for Derby County’s best players: bring your chequebook!
Derby chief executive Sam Rush and chairman Mel Morris
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