Derby County should reconsider financial stance to beat Hull City to signing: View | OneFootball

If Derby County want to sign a top-level keeper this summer they must reconsider their positioning when it comes to finances.

Highlights

Derby County's return to the Championship last season was hugely impressive, with the Rams' 92 points securing second place in League One.

A huge factor behind this point tally, was their ability not to concede goals, as they let in a minimal 37 in 46 league games.

However, the goalkeeper who had stopped all these goals, Joe Wildsmith, has since departed the club, with manager Paul Warne stating: "I want to sign a better number one than the one I've got".

This task has so far proved fruitless, with numerous names coming and going off the Rams' transfer radar. One that appeared destined was former Arsenal player Mat Ryan, but County have lost out to AS Roma, with the Italian giants signing the Australian on a one-year deal.

Another man that has been linked is former Fulham keeper Marek Rodák, but once again there appears to be a stumbling block in the deal that Derby may not be able to overcome.

Having been at Fulham since 2013, Rodák was finally released this summer after struggling to earn a place in the side due to good form from Bernd Leno.

It seems that a step down to the second tier is the most likely option, with Hull City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby all interested in securing his services.

However, the big problem with any deal for the Slovakian is the high wages he is demanding. Reportedly, this had already excluded Burnley from an agreement while Rovers and County will both struggle if he does not drop his demands.

This leaves the Tigers in pole position and if signed, it would see the Rams miss out on yet another target.

With the season approaching, they cannot afford to maintain this stance, as signing a goalkeeper of Rodák's calibre will require a significant investment in wages. For this reason, the hierarchy at Derby should make a U-turn and engage in firm negotiations with the goalkeeper's representatives in a bid to bring him to Pride Park.

Warne and Derby need Rodák

Whilst there is still over a month until the window shuts, Warne will surely want to bring in a new keeper as soon as possible. The longer they leave it, the more targets will be snapped up, and it may leave them in a perilous position where they sign a player they did not previously consider.

Rodák is clearly a firm target, which is no surprise given his previous Championship success. Outside a season on loan at Rotherham United where he conceded 81 goals in a season, he has conceded just 62 in 69 second-tier games, keeping a remarkable 29 clean sheets in the process.

Although he was part of a squad targeting a top finish at Fulham, his two promotions from the division will be of great benefit to any team that signs him. For Derby, they must ensure they change their stance then, otherwise, they risk gifting the Slovakian to Hull.

You feel that if they can combine their desire to sign Rodák with financial flexibility, then it is wholly possible that he will line up for them against Blackburn Rovers on August 9th.

One thing is definite though, if they sign the former Millers keeper, then Paul Warne will have that desired "better number one".