Ruthless, devastating and Paul Warne's dream - the triple threat linked with Derby County transfer
The January window is nearly upon us and Derby County will be looking to strengthen as the look for a strong finish in the second half of the season.
Head coach Paul Warne has already admitted he is looking to bolster his attack with the club looking at all options from strikers, wingers and midfielders. A new number nine does look to be a priority, however, with Jerry Yates and Dajaune Brown being the only centre forwards to score for the club this season.
The club will have to let players leave in order to bring them in which is going to make for a fascinating month. As usual the rumour mill has started to grind out the usual speculation as to who could be heading to Pride Park when the market opens for business.
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Here DerbyshireLive takes a look at the players who have already been linked with a move to Pride Park in January.
Jayden Danns
The young Liverpool forward has plenty of admirers for the January transfer window which is unsurprising given he is thought of highly in Anfield's corridors of power.
Two goals in a 3-0 win over Southampton last season showed everybody a glimpse of his ability and Jurgen Klopp was particularly vocal about the teenager's talent He is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League under Arne Slot this season due to the embarrassment of riches at his disposal.
But he is regarded as another exciting prospect to hurtle through the club's famed youth system. There are murmurs about Danns being a target for a number of Championship clubs, Derby and Plymouth have both reported to be among them.
The son of ex-Crystal Palace midfielder, Neil, Danns junior signed a new long-term contract at Anfield back in March 2024. Considered a ruthless finisher, he scored a brilliant goal against Manchester United in an under-21s clash back in April with a cheeky backheel that underlined his talent.
With Ben Doak thriving at Middlesbrough in the Championship while on loan from Liverpool, Danns may be the next player to try his luck in the second tier with the Reds believing he is ready to play regular football.
Louie Barry
The Aston Villa talent had a year at Barcelona before he returned to England in 2020. Villa sent him on loan to Stockport last season when he scored nine goals in 21 league games.
Unsurprisingly, the League One side took him on loan again this campaign and his record in front of goal has been devastating. He scored his 16th goal in all competitions as Dave Challinor's side snatched a point against Rotherham United on Sunday.
Villa have decided to recall him from his season-long loan, and he now looks set to be loaned out to the Championship, which will spark a considerable race for his signature.
Derby have been credited with a firm interest in Barry, a boyhood Villa fan, who is due to return after they face Birmingham City tomorrow. Barry can play out wide or down the middle, and with Paul Warne wanting to strengthen his attack, his versatility makes him a dream for Derby's head coach.
It will be interesting to see where he heads next but his ruthless level of finishing and ability to score goals of all types, would be most welcome in this Derby team.
Jaden Montnor
The Aris Limassol winger has previously spoken of his desire to play in England and one day dreams of playing for Chelsea. The 22-year-old is quick and can play on the left wing, through the middle or on the opposite flank which underlines his flexibility.
Derby have been exploring the European market ahead of the January window having already exploited it to good effect with Kenzo Goudmijn and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
He would fit right into Derby's system particularly as Warne likes to play a 4-3-3 formation or 4-2-3-1 system especially at Pride Park. The player himself, however, compares himself to Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and AC Milan star Rafael Leao.
“I would describe myself as a Marcus Rashford or Rafael Leao, that type of player," he said. "I think more Leao, I think he is one of the best players at the moment. If you watch on TV, it seems as if he is not is so fast. But if you really watch his match: he passes you with ease. It is really unbelievable.”
