Report: Derby eyeing tricky loan swoop for Everton’s Matthew Pennington

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Derby County are reportedly interested in Everton prospect Pennington, who is already on loan in the Championship with Ipswich Town.

Derby County are interested in signing Everton defender Matthew Pennington on transfer deadline day, according to the Derby Telegraph.

The 24-year-old centre-back is already out on loan in the Championship, having joined Ipswich Town in the summer. He has made 24 league starts for the Tractor Boys, who remain glued to the bottom of the table.

But, according to the report, Derby are interested in offering Pennington a route out of Portman Road for the rest of the 2018/19 campaign.

This could be tricky, given that it would require Everton to terminate his loan spell at Ipswich before agreeing a new short-term deal with Derby before tonight’s 11:00pm transfer deadline.

But, if the move does materialise, Derby will get a promising and intelligent centre-back who should suit Frank Lampard’s possession-based philosophy.

Pennington, who graduated through Everton’s academy, can also play at right-back and could provide support for the youngster Jaden Bogle at Pride Park.

But Derby fans will be hoping that is more impressive in the East Midlands than he was during a spell at Leeds United last season. The Warrington-born defender looked nervy and error-prone at Elland Road.