John Eustace’s plans for out-of-contract Derby County star become clearer, there’s ‘interest’ from elsewhere
Derby County had just two players out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Rams’ retained list was released in the middle of May, with John Eustace already letting go of nine players and with five loan spots to fill, there is plenty of action on its way to Pride Park in the coming weeks and months.
Derby are waiting on investment, but CEO Stephen Pearce has already explained the club’s transfer policy as the East Midlands outfit prepare for their second successive season in the Championship.
Craig Forsyth reportedly signed a new two-year deal at the start of June, but questions remain about the future of Liam Thompson with the midfielder yet to put pen to paper on a new contract.
Derby County want Liam Thompson to stay
The 23-year-old came through Derby’s academy, and made his debut in 2021 under the guidance of Wayne Rooney. Last season was his best in black-and-white, with Rams fans wanting Thompson to extend his stay and now EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal how talks are progressing.
Our Chief Football Correspondent, Graeme Bailey, told us: “Eustace wants him to stay. There is a confidence around the club that he will.
“With John Eustace, I think a lot of players are buying into the project that he’s selling. And it’s an easy sell for him, isn’t it? He can say, ‘Look, I dropped down the league to Derby. So, you come on the journey with me.’
“There’s real hope that Derby keep him. There is interest in him elsewhere, but they are hopeful.”
Liam Thompson excelled under John Eustace’s guidance
After injuries saw Thompson struggle for momentum throughout Paul Warne’s time at Derby, Eustace brought the young midfielder back into the side on his arrival in February.
Playing alongside Ebou Adams and Harrison Armstrong, the Nottingham-born ace found his feet and he was a crucial cog in his head coach’s side as the Rams avoided relegation.
Derby twice played without Thompson in the starting XI in the latter stages of the season and on both occasions they clearly missed him.
While he perhaps does not have the physicality that you would expect from a player in his position, his tenacity and willingness to get the ball and play it forward makes him a true asset and the Rams must not lose him.
Birmingham City fans are very excited about links to ‘absolute baller’, they would take him ‘in a heartbeat’
Birmingham City are being linked with players left, right, and centre this summer, but one name has really got the fans excited this week.
After storming their way to the League One title with a record points tally last season, big things are expected of Birmingham City upon their return to the Championship.
With a talented manager in Chris Davies, and a strong squad already, there may not be a lot of work to be done for the Blues in the summer transfer window.
But, we know that Birmingham want to improve in a few areas, and the latest transfer link has really got tongues wagging among the fanbase.
Birmingham City fans want Oliver Antman to sign
Yesterday, we broke the news that both Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham had been offered Oliver Antman this summer. The Finland international has had a great season in the Eredivisie with Go Ahead Eagles, but may be Championship bound if the Blues take up the offer.
After we posted about the links on Twitter/X, a number of Birmingham fans shared their thoughts on the idea of Antman coming to St. Andrew’s, and it’s safe to say they’d love to see it happen.
One Blues fan wrote, “I’d take Antman in a heartbeat,” while another added, “Antman is an absolute baller.”
Others said, “I’d definitely take Antman,” while another demanded, “Bring me Antman right now.”
It’s clear what Birmingham should do, then. One supporter added: “I’d get Oliver Antman straight away, snatch him right up.”
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