‘Off the table’: 28-year-old reported Derby and Nottingham Forest target rules out exit

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Serdar Dursun has ruled out a late move to Derby County or Nottingham Forest, telling Kicker that he is now fully focused on succeeding in the Bundesliga.2 with SV Darmstadt.

Finding a prolific goal-scorer between now and the October 16 deadline could be quite literally the difference between success and failure at Pride Park this season.

In four Championship games, Phillip Cocu’s Rams have scored just once from open play.

Bitter rivals Nottingham Forest haven’t exactly been prolific either with their first goal of 2020/21 coming, at long last, in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Bristol City – a seventh straight defeat which cost Sabri Lamouchi his job at the City Ground.

But, after attracting interest from clubs on either side of the Brian Clough divide, Dursun has made it clear that he is not going anywhere at this stage.

“The last few weeks have been a bit restless, so I’m glad that the topic is now off the table and everyone has clarity,” the 28-year-old said after opening his account for the campaign during Darmstadt’s 3-2 win against Nurnburg three days ago.

“We talked openly and honestly the whole time, there were also clear agreements. That’s why I don’t want to look back at all and deal with the past, but concentrate on the season with the Lillies.”

Dursun scored 19 goals in 36 games for Darmstadt last term. Derby made three bids, the final worth up to £1 million, according to Hessenchau while Forest were also keen (Mirror, 5 October, page 53).

Derby could now turn to Charlie Austin, a proven Championship goalscorer who has fired both West Brom and QPR to promotion during an impressive club career.

But, according to the Express and Star, the £4 million frontman would rather stay at West Brom and fight for his place in the Premier League.