Derby County were linked with Reece Burke.
According to a report in The Sun, Derby County attempted an eleventh hour bid to hijack Hull City’s £1.5 million move for West Ham United defender Reece Burke.
Unfortunately for newly-appointed boss Frank Lampard, the east Midlands club ultimately missed out as Burke signed with Championship rivals Hull having already taken a medical at the KCOM Stadium.
The 21-year-old would have been a decent addition for Derby, and with the club seeking to freshen things up and bring in some younger players, he would have been an ideal first acquisition to kick-start Lampard’s reign.
But missing out on Burke shouldn’t stop Derby’s quest to strengthen their defensive options. Here are three players Lampard could turn to as a solid alternative.
John Souttar:
Derby were linked with Hearts defender John Souttar ahead of the summer transfer window, with then boss Gary Rowett seemingly impressed by the defender’s campaign north of the border (the Scottish Sun).
Souttar would represent a cheaper alternative with a figure of £1 million being branded about, and at 21 he has plenty of potential to establish himself at Championship level and beyond.
Axel Tuanzebe:
The Manchester United centre-back spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, though he struggled to break in to Steve Bruce’s side having only featured five times for the playoff finalists.
United may feel he has some developing to do, therefore another loan deal maybe in store for the youngster and Derby could see him as a solid backup to push Curtis Davies and Richard Keogh for a first-team spot.
Curtis Tilt:
Tilt may have only joined Blackpool 12 months ago, but his excellent performances in League One have caught the attentions of several Championship clubs such as Ipswich Town and Queens Park Rangers.
According to a report in the Mirror (live transfer thread, July 8th at 13:54), the Tractor Boys have tabled a £550,000 bid for the pacey 26-year-old centre-back.
Derby need further options at the back and Tilt could represent a potential bargain deal.
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