How well did Derby do signing Ledley when Premier League clubs were interested?

Follow us on Google Discover

Gary Rowett thinks Premier League clubs were interested in Joe Ledley so how well did Derby do to sign him?

Joe Ledley of Derby County during the Sky Bet Championship match against Ipswich Town.

Derby County manager Gary Rowett has suggested that Premier League clubs were interested in signing Joe Ledley before the Rams tied the midfielder down to an 18-month deal.

Ledley initially signed a short-term contract at Pride Park until January after joining the club on a free transfer in September following his release by Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

Wales midfielder Joe Ledley (C) attends a training session at the Stade de France stadium.

However, after greatly impressing during his first 13 matches for Derby they moved quickly to extend the 30-year-old’s time with them; something which was confirmed following the 1-0 Championship defeat to Ipswich Town on Tuesday (November 28).

There were some concerns that Ledley would be snapped up by somebody else after impressing for Rowett’s side and it seems a return to the English top flight was not off the cards.

Derby County manager Gary Rowett during the Sky Bet Championship match against Queens Park Rangers.

“With any player we don’t want to commit for too long, of course, but with Joe we wanted to get him over the line for longer,” the 43-year-old told the Derby Telegraph.

“We are really pleased he has accepted it, really pleased he sees us as a good next step for his career.

“As soon as I’m honest enough to say we are in negotiations, people wonder why it’s not been done and they presume an inability for us to make it happen.

“But it’s not that – he’s got options, he’s going to have some interest and I’m sure there will have been a little bit of Premier League interest such is his experience.

“I think the fact he likes what we are trying to do, he feels comfortable here, the players like him, the fans like him.

“Really pleased we’ve got it done and we can rest a little bit easier now.”

If the belief that teams from the top tier were interested in Ledley is true then it makes Derby’s capture of him until at least 2019 even more of a coup.

The Wales international has brought stability and grit to Rowett’s midfield and with the team currently sixth in the table and in the playoffs, could well help them to promotion this season.