“Would be a real statement signing, He’s someone that can really get you on the edge of your seat, he’s only going to get better”- Derby County urged to complete signing of exciting 21yr-Old French winger this summer as pundit says player would be statement signing for Rams

Derby County are plotting a transfer move for Stade Brestois 29’s Karamoko Dembele this summer, according to Football Insider.

They report that the Rams are preparing to make a move for the 21-year-old from the French side after his impressive loan stint at Blackpool in League One last season.

It appears he is more than ready to make the step-up to Championship football next season, and he could form part of Derby’s new-look attacking unit, as they look to improve upon a depleted squad from last season.

However, he isn’t short of suitors, with the likes of Premier League sides Everton and West Ham among those to have been credited with an interest in Dembele, alongside Fulham, Brentford, Wolves, and Nottingham Forest. The same report states that Championship promotion winners Leicester City, as well as second-tier sides such as Leeds United and Middlesbrough are also thought to be keen on the winger.

Meanwhile, Derby are said to be open to a permanent or loan move for the Brest player, having been impressed with his impact at Bloomfield Road last season. It remains to be seen whether Brest would be open to a permanent sale of Dembele in the transfer window, given how well his loan stint at Blackpool went.

Any deal for Dembele could be agreed with Stade Brestois in the summer, and his contract with the French side runs until the summer of 2026, so a loan would take him into the final year of his contract with the Ligue 1 outfit.

We spoke to FLW’s Derby County fan pundit Shaun Woodward, who gave his verdict on the links to the versatile 21-year-old.

He said: “I think Dembele would be someone who would really excite the Derby fans and would be a real statement signing.

“He’s someone that can really get you on the edge of your seat.

“Last season was really his first season where he really came into his own, and added an end product to his game.

“As talented as he has looked in his early years of his career, he didn’t have the goals and assists and he’s started to get those.

“Over 20 goal contributions last season is really impressive for a first season at Blackpool.

“He would be an excellent signing for Derby and is of a really good age as well, so is only going to get better.

“If he does well at Derby as well, then his value goes up, so it looks good on our books.

“So, I’ll be really excited to see if we can get him.

“Obviously, there is a lot of interest from other clubs, who have probably got a bit more money than us.

“But if Paul Warne can sell the club – because we are a massive club – then if we can get someone like him in, it’ll be an excellent signing.”

The former Celtic youngster has bags of ability and more versatility to play centrally, or possibly from the left, whilst predominantly impressing at his best from the right.

He is very much a playmaker type of winger, and his spell on loan with Blackpool proved to be a fruitful one, as well as one which highlighted the need for him to play at a higher level than League One.

The 21-year-old became a real fans’ favourite among the Seasiders faithful and with nine goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions, Dembele made a clear contribution to their play-off bid, despite the club falling just short on the final day of the campaign.

His versatility in operating centrally as well, makes the diminutive forward the right sort of upgrade on Derby’s existing attacking options, and Dembele’s age and potential make him an attractive proposition, if funds can be found or a loan can be agreed upon.