Derby County transfer news dubbed 'exciting' but they could do even better | OneFootball

FLW’s Rams fan pundit has weighed in on a deal for the former Lorient forward Sambou Soumano

Derby County's summer recruitment drive is beginning to gather pace, but one area of John Eustace's squad that appears in urgent need of attention is the forward line.

Derby narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs last season, finishing eighth after an impressive campaign under Eustace, and optimism remains high that they can take the next step in 2026/27.

The permanent return of Bobby Clark from RB Salzburg has already provided an early statement of intent, but further additions are expected as the Rams look to build a squad capable of challenging in an increasingly competitive division.

A new striker appears high on the club's agenda. Several attacking options from last season are no longer available, with loanees returning to their parent clubs and injuries limiting alternatives already on the books.

As a result, links with former Lorient forward Sambou Soumano have attracted significant attention.

According to reports from France, Derby and fellow Championship side Charlton Athletic have both submitted concrete offers to the 25-year-old after the expiry of his contract with the Ligue 1 club.

Derby County and Charlton Athletic battle for ex-Lorient striker Sambou Soumano

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Soumano arrives on the market with a profile that is difficult to judge at first glance. His most recent top-flight campaign yielded four goals and two assists in 31 appearances, although only eight of those outings came as starts.

However, his record below Ligue 1 level is considerably stronger. Soumano scored 14 goals during Lorient's promotion-winning Ligue 2 season in 2024/25 and also enjoyed a productive loan spell at Quevilly-Rouen, where he found the net 15 times across all competitions.

In light of that, Football League World asked resident Derby County fan pundit Shaun Woodward whether Soumano is the calibre of striker the Rams should be targeting this summer, or if Eustace's side should be aiming higher.

“Yeah, Derby definitely could do better, and I think they will,” Woodward told FLW.

“This would likely be a free transfer because of his contract expiring where he is, so I think when we start to actually spend some cash then I think we would bring in players that would probably be ahead of him in the pecking order.

“Not that it always works out like that, because he could come in and be absolutely brilliant and flourish under Eustace, so never write someone off too soon

“But it's an area of the pitch we desperately need to strengthen as well, with Diaz, Banel, Szmodics all returned to their parent clubs.

“Brewster has been out injured as well. Agyemang's out injured. Morris is pretty much our only fit centre forward - so it's an area on the pitch where we are desperately needing reinforcements.

“I'd be happy to see him come in. It gets us another body through the door - he's a good age, 25 years old,

“He could still really go on to have a good career - hopefully that could be at Derby if he found a home.

“So yeah, an exciting one, but I do also think Derby could do better, and I think they will.”

Turki Al-Sheikh uncertainty adds extra dimension to Derby County transfer window

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Derby's interest in Soumano is also unfolding against a backdrop of uncertainty and potential opportunity off the pitch.

While the striker's availability on a free transfer makes him an attractive low-risk option, Derby's overall recruitment strategy this summer could yet be shaped by developments surrounding proposed investment into the club.

Reports linking Saudi Arabian sports powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh with a stake in the Rams have inevitably fuelled speculation about what additional financial backing could mean for Eustace's transfer plans.

Any deal remains subject to scrutiny and approval through English football's new regulatory framework, and there is no guarantee fresh investment will arrive in time to influence this window.

Questions surrounding ownership, governance and the Independent Football Regulator's assessment process mean supporters may have to wait before gaining any clarity on the situation.

For now, Derby's recruitment team must operate on what they know rather than what might happen. That makes players such as Soumano understandable targets.