Harrison Reed is understood to be considering his future at Southampton but will Derby County challenge for his signature again?
Harrison Reed started just one Prem game last season
The emergence of Harrison Reed was one of the many bright spots of Ronald Koeman’s first season in charge of Southampton. However, since his breakthrough 2014/15 campaign, the homegrown midfielder has found opportunities hard to come by on the South Coast.
A grand total of ten Premier League minutes in 2015/16 was followed by just three top flight appearances under Claude Puel. As such, the chances of the talented midfielder following in the footsteps of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, James Ward-Prowse and co by rising from within the ranks to become a first-team star looks increasingly remote.
As such, it would be little surprise if Reed was to come to the conclusion that he would be better served continuing his career elsewhere. Although he signed a long-term contract in December, the Daily Mail claimed that a lack of match action had the 22-year-old considering his future at Southampton.
Do Derby need Reed?
And with HITC sources telling us last summer that Derby County were interested in signing him on loan, The Rams could find that Reed would be receptive to a move to Pride Park this time around.
The former England Under-20 international, who was also on Wolves’ radar, is an intelligent passer of the ball while his excellent work rate out of possession would likely appeal to the pragmatic manager Gary Rowett.
Furthermore, with the likes of Craig Bryson and Jacob Butterfield struggling to impress on a consistent basis last season, Reed would give Derby some much needed depth in midfield.
And if Will Hughes finally makes the step up to the Premier league this season, the Sunday People reporting interest from Watford and Brighton, it would be no surprise to see Reed linked with Derby for the second summer in a row.
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