Derby County have overspent disastrously in recent seasons but they cannot afford to let a chance to re-sign Andre Wisdom pass them by.
Derby County were expected to make major changes to their squad this summer as new manager Gary Rowett aims to finally lead this underachieving side into the Premier League.
And The Telegraph reports that The Rams are attempting to belatedly kick-start their summer plans with a move for Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom. Yet, after their initial £1 million bid dismissed out of hand by The Reds, it appears that Derby are playing with fire.
Derby County manager Gary Rowett
“[Wisdom] is athletic, strong and has potential to play in the Premier League – so he is the type of player we are interested in,” Rowett told the Derby Telegraph of the defender, who helped the club reach the play-off final during a loan spell in 2013/14.
However, he is not the only manager aiming to bring in Wisdom this summer. The Telegraph adds that Championship rivals Birmingham City are keen.
The versatile 24-year-old, equally comfortable at right-back or centre-half, would surely enhance a defence that was breached 64 times last season, forcing Birmingham to seal their survival on the final day.
Furthermore, Red Bull Salzburg are also determined to be reunited with the former England youth international after he helped them win the Austrian league title on loan in 2016/17.
And, just to make Derby’s initial bid even more ambitious, The Telegraph claims that Liverpool want at least £2 million for their nomadic defender.
Therefore, The Rams will have to double their bid while holding off interest from clubs both at home and abroad. Yet, if Rowett wants to improve on last season’s disastrous ninth placed finish, and solidify a defence beaten far too easily, he should act fast and bring Wisdom back to Pride Park.
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