Managing Derby County - deal terminated, more exits and Aston Villa sweet talk
Derby County are hoping to strengthen their squad in the January window as they look for a strong second half to the Championship season.
Derby have already sanctioned Sonny Bradley's exit from the club after allowing him to join League One promotion chasers Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.
That is expected to be the first of several ins and outs this month as the Rams look to reshape their squad for the final time with all areas of the attack under review.
READ MORE: Derby County transfer explained after 'imperative' deal completed
READ MORE: Derby County rivals now want ex-Rams star after loan decision
Head coach Paul Warne is eager to add more goals be it through a striker, winger or a midfielder. Here DerbyshireLive has a look at what he could be contemplating in the weeks ahead.
Push for Barry deal
Leeds and Middlesbrough have also been credited with an interest in the 21-year-old, but it would be pointless for Villa to recall him and then send him to a club where he would sit on the bench. His chances of regular first-team football at Derby are significantly more realistic given they are desperate for the kind of finisher he is. A look at his goals for Stockport this season has shown he is not only adept inside the box but outside it, too.
Derby are not blessed with many players who can find either corner from outside the box, and he has done that on more than one occasion during his time at Edgeley Park in what is a considerable highlight reel.
The Championship would be a significant step up, but as they say, the goals never move, and he would certainly be something different to what they already have in the building in what would be an excellent coup. Derby might have to do some sweet talking to get it done.
Sanction more departures
Sonny Bradley's departure to Wycombe Wanderers on Monday night is not expected to be the last player to leave the club this month.
Conor Washington is another who looks destined to leave, and there are some players in the final six months of their contracts who aren't getting regular minutes on the pitch.
Tom Barkhuizen is another player who has struggled to break into the squad and then you've got the likes of James Collins who is only making appearances as a late substitute. There has also been talk of Joe Ward attracting interest but he is not out of contract until next year. However, Portsmouth do not hold an interest in the winger despite reports stating they were keen on him.
Shifting some of those players on will at least free up funds to make the necessary additions in what is set to be a pivotal month. The top end of the pitch is the ultimate priority.
Seal Chirewa exit
The Wolves loanee has really struggled to make an impact, although a lengthy spell on the sidelines has not helped.
But while he has made his return, it's hard to see on recent evidence where he actually improves the team. And once the likes of David Ozoh, Ebou Adams and so on are fit, would he even get on the bench? If the answer to that is no, then there's no point continuing a loan that does not suit either the player, Derby or his parent club.
No club ever gets their transfer business 100 per cent right and it is just a deal that hasn't worked out. Chirewa did come off the bench against Bristol City at the weekend, but he struggled and when you can only have five loan players in the matchday squad, it's important that each one counts. It looks best if everyone shakes hands and moves on.
