Derby’s bid for Forestieri could spell the end for Andreas Weimann

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Derby County have been linked with Sheffield Wednesday’s Fernando Forestieri.

According to the Daily Mail, Derby County have launched a £7 million bid for Sheffield Wednesday’s Fernando Forestieri.

The Rams were the Championship’s biggest spenders last season, spending to the tune of £20 million as they brought in the likes of Darren Bent, Tom Ince, Andreas Weimann, Jacob Butterfield, Nick Blackman and Bradley Johnson.

However, this summer in contrast they have been the only club in the Championship not to bring in a new player, a decision made both by the board and newly-appointed manager Nigel Pearson.

It was a bold move, and one which has raised my questions as Pearson moved away from the club’s recent 4-3-3 formation to a variation of 4-4-2 during the club’s opening fixture with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Derby’s display wasn’t bad, but there is no doubt there needs to be an improvement and instead of looking from within, bids have reportedly been made for as many as four players with Forestieri topping the list.

The Argentine playmaker netted 15 league goals last term and was named Wednesday’s player of the year as the Owls finished sixth in the table and reached the Championship playoff final.

While there is certainly scope for Derby to bring him in, a potential arrival must surely mean one has to leave and the most obvious candidate would be Austrian forward Andreas Weimann.

The 25-year-old only joined the club from Aston Villa 12 months ago, yet he struggled to nail down a regular spot last season with the likes of Johnny Russell and Tom Ince for competition.

With Pearson moving towards a 4-4-2 and Weimann predominently being a forward player, there are simply too many players standing between him and a regular spot and Forestieri would only add to the list.

Changes are upon Derby, and it may take a while for supporters to really warm to Pearson’s ideas as his decision to leave Chris Martin, Will Hughes and Russell on the bench against Brighton caused quite a stir.