Signing Dundee’s Glen Kamara must be Derby’s number one priority in January

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Derby County have been linked with Dundee United’s Glen Kamara.

According to a fresh report in the Daily Mail, Derby County are among several clubs still tracking Dundee’s holding midfielder Glen Kamara with Sunderland the latest to show an interest.

The Rams were said to be among those looking at the Finland international in the summer, with HITC accrediting Derby, Bournemouth and Swansea City as those leading the race for his signature.

With Kamara’s contract set to expire next summer, the former Arsenal academy product is free to talk with foreign clubs (including English clubs) as early as January ahead of a free transfer summer move.

But Derby should instead look to bring him to Pride Park as early as possible, with Dundee likely to accept a potential bargain figure in January instead of risk losing him for free six months later.

Kamara has an abundance of power, pace and strength in midfield and his impressive performances in the Scottish Premiership has also caught the attentions of Old Firm duo Celtic and Rangers (Daily Mail).

With Derby looking for a top six place in the Championship and a shot at reaching the Premier League as early as this season, they must bolster their midfield which has been a cause for concern.

Frank Lampard has set his side out in his preferred 4-3-3 formation with one midfielder holding, one set to link the play and the other (Chelsea loanee Mason Mount) pushing forward and getting into scoring positions.

But one evident room for improvement is the holding role, with both Bradley Johnson and Craig Bryson not accustomed to sitting so deep and not having the necessary attributes to thrive there.

Joe Ledley and Tom Huddlestone are fellow options but both being the wrong side of 30 they lack pace and movement, while summer signing George Evans has struggled with injuries having featured just once.

Kamara is ideal for Derby in the short-term, and considering he is just 22 years of age, he has the potential to be a key figure for the east Midlands club for several years to come.