Derby County are among a host of clubs reportedly linked with Aberdeen’s Graeme Shinnie.
According to a report in the Press and Journal, Derby County are leading the way ahead of Sunderland, Wigan Athletic and Luton Town in the race to sign Aberdeen’s Graeme Shinnie.
A five-year deal has been mentioned in the report, with the midfielder reportedly being shown around Pride Park during the week as the Rams step up their interest.
Shinnie turns 28 this summer, therefore a long-term deal could be deemed a risk.
Derby have been stung in the past when it comes to signing ageing players on long-term deals. The likes of Jacob Butterfield, Ikechi Anya and Nick Blackman are still contracted to the club, despite long being out of favour.
This summer provides an opportunity for Derby to clear the decks somewhat. As many as 10 first-team squad players are set to leave, and space will be made available on the wage bill.
So why should Derby be tempted to offer a long-term deal to Shinnie? After all, the club have reportedly found themselves on the limit of Financial Fair Play for the very same reason.
The biggest difference in Shinnie’s case is that he is out of contract this summer. Derby will be available to sign him on a free, while coming from Scotland there is a good chance his wage expectations will be lower.
Compare him to Jacob Butterfield, who Derby signed for a reported £5 million on a four-year deal. It was a club record deal at the time, so even a potentially lower £25,000-a-week salary is an extra £5.2 million.
Even if Shinnie pocketed a whopping £35,000 a week at Pride Park over five years, which would never happen, it would still be less than what the Rams dished out for Butterfield who has just two league starts in the last two years.
Shinnie has often been dubbed one of the best players in Scotland, and with Derby in need of bolstering their midfield this summer, he would make an excellent signing for the Midlands club.
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