Danny Batth makes Derby County decision - Bolton & Charlton must move now | OneFootball

Danny Batth will leave Derby County this summer as Bolton and Charlton should plot moves

As Derby County prepare to attack the Championship top six once again next season, John Eustace's side has made some key decisions when it comes to contracts for existing players, with one move more surprising than most.

Derby narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs on the final day of last season, falling to a 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United, whilst Hull City's victory over Norwich City meant that even if they had won, they would've fallen short.

It was a much-improved year from the Rams, who will be hoping to continue this upward trajectory into the next campaign under the guidance of Eustace.

With Bobby Clark becoming the club's first addition of the summer, signing in a £6 million deal from Austrian side RB Salzburg after a successful loan spell, Derby have also announced the departures of the likes of Callum Elder, Ben Osborn, and Andreas Weimann.

However, arguably their most notable departure is that of Danny Batth, who will leave the club at the end of the month after failing to agree fresh terms at Pride Park.

Batth, 35, spent just one year with the Rams, and with over 360 Championship appearances to his name, presents an interesting proposition for numerous EFL clubs, as FLW takes a look at two sides that must consider his capture this summer.

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Bolton Wanderers are officially in the Championship once again for the first time in over seven years.

In that time, the Trotters have delved as deep as League Two, and have spent the bulk of the last five years fighting for a place back in the second tier, and have finally done so under the guidance of former Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher.

Schumacher has made the tough decision to allow 27-year-old centre-back George Johnston to leave the club following the expiry of his contract at the end of the month, having made 188 appearances for Bolton during his time at the club.

A gap, therefore, must be filled in the heart of the Bolton defence, and they could do a lot worse than Batth.

Although no spring chicken, Batth would provide a wealth of Championship experience, something sorely lacking in their current ranks, and would also bring strong competition for a place at the back, capable of playing in either a back three or back four.

With Stoke, Schumacher signed experienced defender Ben Gibson from Norwich, so it would not be out of place for the former Crewe Alexandra midfielder to do this sort of deal.

Unlikely to demand a serious amount of game time, Batth could be exactly what Bolton needs in the squad, and on a free, would be an excellent addition.

Charlton Athletic

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Charlton have announced the departures of each of Luke Chambers, Harry Clarke, and Conor Coady following the end of their loan spells, leaving a huge gap in the Addicks defence needing to be filled.

Welsh boss Nathan Jones has done an excellent job to guide the East London outfit from the depths of League One and maintain their place in the Championship, and will be aiming to do it again next time around.

The Addicks spent close to £10 million last summer on the likes of Charlie Kelman, Rob Apter, Harvey Knibbs, Tanto Olaofe, and Thomas Kaminski, each to varying degrees of success, and whether they will be willing to spend as much this time around remains to be seen.

Bringing in Batth on a free seems like ideal business for Charlton to go and do, with the 35-year-old unlikely to demand a crucial role in the starting 11, and offering a plethora of Championship experience which Jones will be losing with Coady's departure.

Batth has previously worked under Jones during their time together at Stoke, having made 30 appearances under the Welshman in the Potteries, and with the pair already having a pre-existing relationship, a reunion at The Valley this summer ought to be on the cards.