Derby County were reportedly keen on Hearts ace John Souttar last summer.
According to a report in the Scottish Sun last summer, Derby County were considering a £1 million move for Hearts centre-back John Souttar following his terrific campaign north of the border.
The Rams eventually opted to go elsewhere, bringing in Fikayo Tomori on loan from Chelsea, but Curtis Davies’s recent season-ending injury leaves them with a problem to solve ahead of the January transfer window.
The experienced defender pulled up in the 2-1 midweek defeat to Stoke City, and after tests it was revealed Davies had injured his Achilles and is set for a lengthy spell out on the side-lines.
Tomori and Richard Keogh have been the regular central defenders this term for Frank Lampard’s side, but Davies provided excellent back-up and his injury leaves only Alex Pearce as the other senior player.
Pearce was a solid member of the squad under former boss Gary Rowett, but in Lampard’s new attacking system he requires his defenders to be capable of playing out from the back and Pearce isn’t that type of player.
Souttar, however, has shown his capabilities at Hearts for being apt on the ball and importantly his defensive work isn’t too shabby either with the Scotland international helping his side keep five clean sheets in ten club games in all competitions this season.
At 22, the 6ft 2inch defender has plenty of potential and Lampard has been keen to bring in younger players to Pride Park as he seeks to build a squad with one eye on the future.
Souttar’s contract with Hearts expires in the summer of 2020, therefore Derby should look to take advantage with Hearts knowing January may be their best bet of getting an adequate fee for him.
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