Derby County must launch Blackburn Rovers raid if Wrexham win Ipswich race | OneFootball

Derby County should look to sign Blackburn Rovers' Todd Cantwell this summer in case Wrexham steal a deal for Ipswich Town's Anis Mehmeti

Derby County’s move for Ipswich Town forward Anis Mehmeti is under threat, as the Rams should prepare a late move for a division rival’s captain as a potential alternative.

It’s been a relatively busy summer at Pride Park, and whilst John Eustace will be content with getting a few priority deals over the line, things haven’t gone exactly as the Rams may have hoped.

Bobby Clark and Sammie Szmodics have returned to the club on permanent deals after successful loan spells last season, as Filip Bilbija, Ryan Hedges, and Charlie Taylor arrive on free transfers, whilst Alex Mowatt has arrived from West Bromwich Albion for a fee in the region of £600k-£700k.

However, prospective deals will have had to be ruled out following the collapsed takeover from Saudi Arabian government official Turki Alalshikh, leaving the Rams with limited funds late on in the window.

Ipswich’s Anis Mehmeti has emerged as a potential target for the club, as per Alan Nixon’s Patreon, as now, according to Sky Sports, Wrexham have joined the race for his signature, as suddenly Derby face fierce competition for the Albanian’s signature.

Derby County face Wrexham threat in race for Anis Mehmeti’s signature

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Mehmeti, 25, could be on his way out of Ipswich before the deadline, with both Derby and Wrexham having registered an interest in the attacking midfielder.

The five-capped Albanian international has been a regular in the Championship for the past few years for Bristol City and Ipswich, joining the latter from the former for around £3 million in January 2026, helping the Tractor Boys back to the top flight.

However, with Gary O'Neil at the helm, Mehmeti has seemingly fallen out of favour at Portman Road, having been left out of the squad on the opening day of the Premier League season as Ipswich beat Sunderland 2-1.

With the likes of Emersonn, Marcelino Nunez, Jaden Philogene, Kasey McAteer, Daizen Maeda, Sindre Walle Egeli, Julio Enciso, Abdul Fatawu, and Chuba Akpom as competition, the former Wycombe Wanderers forward was always bound to struggle for minutes, and a return to the Championship is now on the cards.

Despite Derby’s interest, Wrexham likely have the upper hand in negotiations with the Albanian, especially in terms of financial muscle, as Eustace should look for another reunion with a former star before the end of the window.

Derby County should consider attempting to reunite John Eustace with Todd Cantwell

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Derby finished last season in a 4-2-3-1 shape, but following the exits of Jaydon Banel and Ben Brereton Diaz, their lack of wide options has seen the Rams revert to a system utilising wing-backs and two number tens instead.

Mehmeti is capable of playing either through the middle or off the left, where he can cut in on his preferred right foot, and should the 25-year-old prove to be unattainable, Derby should prepare a move for Blackburn Rovers captain Todd Cantwell instead.

Cantwell, 28, ought to be in the prime of his career, and has already grabbed a goal and assist in three appearances for the Lancashire-based outfit so far this season.

Blackburn will almost certainly have no intentions of parting ways with their captain and star player, especially at this stage of the window, but given he is in the final year of his deal at Ewood Park, Derby would be remiss not to attempt the reunion of Eustace and Cantwell, having worked together during their time with the Rovers a couple of years ago.

Why Todd Cantwell to Derby County makes sense

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Cantwell, having come through the youth system of Norwich City, has racked up over 150 appearances in the Championship across his career, as well as just shy of half a century in the Premier League, spending time with the likes of Fortuna Sittard, Bournemouth, and Rangers before his move to Blackburn in 2024.

The attacking midfielder, like Mehmeti, can play either through the middle or off the left, and is by far Blackburn’s most influential player, with Tony Mowbray keeping him as captain for this campaign, with the Englishman having matured both on and off the pitch since his days at Carrow Road.

Now into the final 12 months of his deal with Rovers, and showing few indications of signing another deal beyond this one, this summer will likely be Blackburn’s last chance to cash in on Cantwell whilst they can, though it’s doubtful they will have any intention of doing so.

Eustace values experience in his ranks, as reflected with the additions of Mowatt and Taylor, but the former Birmingham City and Blackburn boss has also struck up a tendency to reunite with former players, having signed the likes of Danny Batth, Andreas Weimann, Lewis Travis, and David Ozoh last summer, whilst each of Clark, Szmodics, and Hedges have joined this window.

Cantwell falls into both categories, and with Derby on the hunt for an attacking-midfielder also comfortable with operating out wide, the Rovers captain would be an excellent alternative for Mehmeti, and likely wouldn’t break the bank either.

John Eustace is keen on further attacking additions at Derby County before the September deadline

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With the September deadline fast approaching, Derby are running out of time to make the attacking additions they so desperately need.

With no out-and-out wingers in the squad, whether that will be something Eustace aims to address in the coming days remains to be seen.

The Rams are reportedly keen on a deal to bring Brereton Diaz back to the club from Southampton, but only on loan, as whether that deal will get across the line is up in the air.

Missing out on Mehmeti, especially to a division rival, would be a bitter pill for Derby to swallow, but one they can remedy in case it does occur with the addition of Cantwell instead, who could be a game-changer at Pride Park.