Six-minute read

Another summer transfer window, another round of rumours, and also some journalist-confirmed bids for Derby County targets. The summer of 2025 has been, undoubtedly, Derby’s most ambitious transfer window since the appointment of Frank Lampard in his first managerial job.

Obviously, at this point in the season it can be very difficult – and potentially silly – to review the success of the window, but David Clowes is certainly splashing a lot more cash than he ever has over the course of the past three seasons.

I’m not going to even begin to do an in-depth review of the transfer window thus far, as we still have a good two weeks until it comes to a close… (Keep an eye out for an article on the 2nd of September.)

This article, instead, is a round up of all the current confirmed bids for players (these will be bids confirmed by reputable journalists only, i.e. the likes of regional journalists that attend selling club press conferences) and rumours of potential interest. (None of these will be confirmed and will be sourced mostly through Twitter or the DCFC forum – so take with a pinch of salt.)

Confirmed bids

Lewis Travis BIDS CONFIRMED (1.5 and bonuses) – @_ElliottJackson

Embed from Getty Images

This is an interesting piece of business by Derby County. Credible sources have confirmed Derby’s bids for Travis, in addition to his intention to join Derby, with the most notable of those being the current Blackburn Rovers Head Coach, Valerian Ismaël.

Having made a total of 264 competitive appearances for the Rovers first team over the past nine years, it’s fair to say that the captain’s willingness to leave the club has arrived as a shock to some Blackburn fans, but is also a predictable outcome to some as a result of the Venkys’ absence and lack of interest in their club. Neglectful owners in the Championship? Truly shocking.

The central midfielder’s defensive statistics speak for themselves. Over 38 league fixtures last season, Travis won 63 and 195 tackles and duels. While this doesn’t quite reach the defensive heights of Ebou Adams, it’s fair to say that the 27-year-old would increase the experience and leadership level amongst the young midfield, as well as making it more solid.

According to the latest from Elliott Jackson, Rovers reporter at the Lancashire Telegraph, Derby have had two bids rejected, with the most recent bid totalling £1.5m plus additional fees. Definitely the most nailed-on of the rumours in this list.

Max Johnston BIDS CONFIRMED (1.4 + 1.6) @AnthonyRJoseph

Embed from Getty Images

With Derby setting their sights on a right-back to potentially provide cover for the injury-prone Ryan Nyambe and Kane Wilson, there has been interest from the club in Sturm Graz full-back, Max Johnston. 

While the latest news on Johnston (and the other RB featured in this list) has gone quiet on the Derby County front, it’s likely that Derby’s first two matches this season may have shifted Eustace and his coaching staff’s priorities positionally. This does not necessarily mean that the club are no longer interested in signing a player for that position, however.

He appears to be an attacking full-back in a similar vein to Kane Wilson. He seems to find a lot of space on the right side when Sturm Graz go forward. Clips of his time at Motherwell and the Austrian side show he has an ability to find a man in the box, a trait sorely missing from The Rams’ injury-ravaged attacking midfield areas.

As reported by Sky Sports News reporter, Anthony Joseph, the latest news on The Rams’ interest in Johnston is that after having two bids rejected, £1.4m and £1.6m, the club were preparing an improved third offer. However, reporting on this went quiet after Joseph’s last tweet on the topic on Sunday 10th August. Panathinaikos are also said to be interested in the right-back.

Koki Saito BID? (TBC) @mcgrathmike

Embed from Getty Images

A bid for Lommel SK left-sided winger Koki Saito (a player that Derby fans might recognise from his time on loan with QPR in the 2024/25 season) was first reported by The Daily Telegraph football reporter Mike McGrath on Thursday 14th August. The tweet doesn’t include the value of the offer, but does state that Birmingham City, FC Twente, and QPR have also submitted bids for the Japanese winger.

Saito clearly has very tricky feet, and is adept at taking on defenders on the edge of the box and creating chances using his quick acceleration. Derby fans will, unfortunately, remember his deft finish from inside the box in the 4-0 dismantling during John Eustace’s first match in charge.

Saito is able to cut inside and attack the goal and also provide chances for strikers with his whipped crosses. Despite looking a bit lightweight at 5’5” – his low centre of gravity helps him shrug off defenders much bigger than him, showing a surprising amount of strength. 

With a season of Championship experience under his belt, Koki Saito could provide some welcome attacking prowess following Blackett-Taylor’s recent injury (and likely future injuries, let’s face it). Although, with bids from big-spending Blues and his previous club QPR, Derby may have a fight on their hands.

Unconfirmed rumours

Isaac Hayden Rumour @FootballLeagueW

Embed from Getty Images

One of the least convincing rumours in this list, it was reported on 14th August that Derby are ‘interested’ in the former Newcastle United midfielder by Football League World. It could be argued that this would be one of the most unimpressive links to potential players for The Rams.

The 30-year-old has spent the last two seasons on loan at Championship clubs QPR and Portsmouth, appearing in exactly 17 matches for both clubs. Judging by his average match ratings, Hayden didn’t exactly pull up any trees in his time at Portsmouth, but did put in some decent defensive performances at QPR. FLW states that Hayden could potentially be an option for The Rams if the Lewis Travis move doesn’t materialise.

I’ve seen plenty of people write off this particular website/Twitter account but this was the first account to tweet about Derby’s interest in Lewis Travis on June 11th, so let’s not completely write them off.

Alfie Gilchrist Rumour @mcgrathmike

Embed from Getty Images

With a year left on his contract, an impressive season with play-off final losers Sheffield United, and with Chelsea recently cutting his price tag down from £5m to £1.5m, Alfie Gilchrist is a very attractive young talent to a lot of Championship clubs. 

In a tweet on 5th August, Mike McGrath claimed that Gilchrist had held talks with Derby, but nothing much has come out since regarding the club’s interest.

Gilchrist looks to be a defensively solid full-back that also likes to get forward to provide an attacking threat. With the interest in Gilchrist and Johnston, it’s obvious that John Eustace likes a full-back that looks to attack and cause mayhem in the opposition box.

With the lack of recent reporting on The Rams’ interest, it seems unlikely that Gilchrist will be pulling on a black and white shirt this season. However, at that price, the club that does sign him could have themselves a bargain on their hands.

Going forward

I will be publishing another one of these articles (assuming there are more rumours or updates on previous bids) by next Friday – 22nd August – and then possibly another on Deadline Day the following week if any rumours go down to the wire.