Derby County have been linked with Bristol City’s Bobby Reid.
According to a report in the Sun on Sunday (24/06 page 60), Derby County are eyeing an £8 million move for Bristol City’s Bobby Reid with fellow forward Matej Vydra linked with an exit.
Vydra was the Championship’s leading scorer last term, but a failure to earn promotion to the Premier League could see him move on this summer with both Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion linked.
It has been mentioned that Derby are only willing to listen to offers of around £12 million for Vydra; a fee which may not be beyond the Baggies or Leeds who are seemingly making a fist of it under Marcelo Bielsa.
Selling Vydra may not be what the Rams fans have in mind this summer but, if they can replace him with Bristol City’s Reid while having cash to spare, it would certainly represent a shrewd piece of business.
New Derby boss Frank Lampard has seemingly been tasked with lowering the wage bill and selling first before buying, and the Czech Republic international is one of only a few sellable assets.
On the outside looking in, selling their top scorer does not appear to be a smart move from a team seeking promotion, but Vydra is only a top quality player when the team is set up to get the best out of him.
Reid, who netted 19 goals and added seven assists in an excellent campaign for the Robins, is more versatile and would offer Lampard better options playing either up front or as an attacking midfielder.
Moreover, at 25 he is younger than Vydra, and he is much more adept at linking up with his teammates in the possession-based side Lampard may look to implement at Pride Park.
Such a deal, assuming Derby also have cash to spare to strengthen other areas of the team, could be exactly what Lampard needs to start the rebuilding process and a move away from last season’s rather dull playing style.
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