Report: Derby expect at least two Premier League stars to join them in January, after takeover

Derby County hope to profit from their prospective new owner’s relationship with Manchester City, according to The Daily Mirror [18 November, page 54].

It is claimed that Derby are set to be taken over by Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan – whose cousin is the City backer Sheikh Mansour.

And it is said that the Rams ‘are expecting to be boosted by at least two loans’ from Pep Guardiola’s team.

The report adds that, despite their potential cash injection, the managerless Championship side will have their January spending restricted by the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules.

• Derby reportedly have chance to re-sign player Rowett called the Championship’s best
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And any relationship with Manchester City could be extremely beneficial to Derby’s survival chances – though it remains to be seen which Blues players could make moves to Pride Park.

The former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has taken interim charge of Derby in the wake of Philip Cocu’s departure.

Coincidentally, Rooney’s 11-year-old son, Kai, was at one stage on the books at City.

Derby fans – which (realistic) Manchester City players would you like to see at Pride Park in January?

In other news, ‘Desperate to sign’: David Provan reminds Celtic of £2.75m transfer mistake