Derby County’s Jack Marriott was also linked with West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United.
Derby County made one of the best signings of the summer in Jack Marriott, though the former Peterborough United man could well have ended up at one of the Rams’ direct promotion rivals.
According to Peterborough’s owner Darragh MacAnthony, Leeds United made a verbal bid to sign Marriott last January and then followed up with another call during the summer transfer window.
West Bromwich Albion were also keen to sign him, with manager Darren Moore speaking with the striker’s agent though MacAthony believes the Baggies didn’t have the funds at the time to complete a deal.
While both Leeds and West Brom have top strikers in Kemar Roofe (six league goals so far) and Dwight Gayle (eight league goals) respectively, Marriott would no doubt make either side better.
The Rams managed to sign the former Ipswich Town youngster for a reported fee of £3 million rising to £5 million (Sky Sports) based on sporting objectives and bonuses – a figure which is looking like a real bargain.
Marriott took his time to settle at Derby, but now he leads the line on a regular bass for Frank Lampard’s men and he is tailor-made for the side’s high-pressing attacking style which is starting to really click.
Derby currently sit in sixth position in the table having picked up seven points from their last three games, including a 4-1 rout away at West Brom where Marriott opened the scoring with a neat finish.
With four goals and two assists in his last five games, including the recent 3-2 defeat at Chelsea in the cup, Marriott is showing devastating form and he will only get better and better.
The 24-year-old is crucial to the way Derby play, and him leading the line at Pride Park will not only significantly bolster the Rams’ promotion bid, but it will dent those also challenging for a return to the Premier League.
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