Will Gary Rowett’s explanation for Che Adams’ Birmingham City move encourage Derby County bid?

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Former Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett signed Che Adams because he wanted more goals – and he could certainly do with that at Derby County too.

Gary Rowett could hardly hide his excitement when his Birmingham City side pulled off an impressive transfer coup to lure one of England’s biggest talents to St Andrews last summer, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.

After all, Che Adams was not short of suitors when leaving Sheffield United in August. Though a tally of 12 goals in only his second season in senior football convinced Rowett that he could be the player capable of solving Birmingham’s profligacy in front of goal.

“Goals are the one thing that we are lacking, but that’s what every team wants. That’s why we bought Che Adams,” Rowett told the Birmingham Mail of the youngster who exploded onto the scene with a quickfire brace against Tottenham in the 2015 League Cup semi-finals.

“He scored 12 goals as 19-year-old in League One last year so who knows what he’s capable of. We’re hoping he can develop during his time with us.”

And though Birmingham have spent the last five months in turmoil since making the increasingly bizarre decision to sack Rowett with the club on the verge of the play-offs, Adams has still chipped in with a few stand-out displays.

Not least against his former manager’s new club. Adams netted his sixth Championship goal of the season against Derby County on Saturday in a Man of the Match performance. With six shots, five crosses, three completed dribbles and two key passes, the 20-year-old was a constant thorn in Derby’s side.

And, netting a classic poachers finish after connecting with Lukas Jutciewicz’s flick on, Rowett could take solace in knowing his decision to sign him had been vindicated. And he could use exactly the same reasons to attempt to bring him to Derby in the summer.

The Rams have struggled for goals all season and, with Darren Bent seemingly likely to leave at the end of his contract, they need reinforcements in the final third. And Adams could be everything Derby need. An upgrade on Johnny Russell or Abdoul Camara and an instinctive goalscorer.