Report: Derby County risk missing Sam Gallagher chance as Southampton block permanent move

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Southampton are willing to let Sam Gallagher leave on loan this summer with Aston Villa, Wolves, Birmingham City battling Derby County.

With relentless speculation surrounding the future of Sam Gallagher, few expected the 21-year-old to still be at Southampton with just two weeks remaining in the transfer window.

Yet, despite The Mirror (20th August, 02:51 AM) reporting that a whole host of Championship clubs, including Wolves, Derby County, Aston Villa and Birmingham City, are all interested in the England youth international, it is still uncertain where Gallagher will be playing his football next season.

However, the report does add that Derby will have to change their approach or risk missing out to a Championship rival.

Because The Mirror claims that Rams boss Gary Rowett would like to purchase Gallagher on a permanent deal. However, with the 6ft 4ins striker highly rated at Southampton, the South Coast club are only willing to let him leave on loan.

And Derby are understood to be unwilling to agree on a clause allowing The Saints to re-call Gallagher in mid-way through the season – unsurprisingly considering losing a key player with half the campaign still to go is not exactly beneficial to your ambitions.

Final piece of Derby’s jigsaw?

Yet, despite Chris Martin returning from Fulham upon the expiry of last season’s loan spell at Craven Cottage, Derby could still do with reinforcements in the final third.

A lack of goals was the Rams’ Achilles heel last season, netting the lowest tally in the top ten, and they are yet to add a new centre-forward to their ranks, although the addition of attacking midfielder Tom Lawrence from Leicester City should further cutting edge in attack.

Gallagher netted 11 times on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season and, despite their relegation to League One, caught the eye of a number of Championship clubs. However, with Wolves, Villa and Birmingham very much in the race, Derby may be forced to make a loan offer instead.