Derby County transfer state of play: Amine Bassi Tommy Watson, Jake Rooney | OneFootball

Football League World rounds up the latest news at Derby County ahead of next week's transfer deadline.

With just a week to go in the January transfer window, John Eustace will be looking for some late moves to give Derby County plenty of momentum heading into the second-half of the season.

The Rams were held by West Bromwich Albion on Friday evening, as Chris Mepham's last-minute header denied the hosts a much-needed victory at Pride Park, after Patrick Agyemang had given his side the lead in the first-half.

Derby have struggled at home this season, and with just four wins on their own turf, it is imperative that new faces are brought in to help the club put an end to their DE24 hoodoo as they hunt for a play-off spot.

Bristol City welcome the Rams to Ashton Gate this Friday, and supporters will be hoping to see at least one new face arrive before the clash against the Robins. Now, Football League World have rounded up the latest transfer news regarding the East Midlands outfit.

Free agent Amine Bassi on Derby County's radar

A report on Friday, before West Brom's visit, linked Derby with a move for free agent Moroccan midfielder, Amine Bassi.

FootMercato said that the Championship side are keeping an eye on the 28-year-old's situation, after he left MLS side Houston Dynamo at the end of the 2025 campaign - bringing an end to a three-campaign stay with the US club.

An attacking midfielder at heart, Bassi played 15 games in England's second tier for Barnsley in 2022, scoring twice and registering five assists as the Tykes suffered relegation to League One, alongside Derby.

Nevertheless, he is looking for a return to Europe, and Eustace is seemingly keen on handing the Moroccan that opportunity.

Former Derby County target Tommy Watson becomes available

Elsewhere, TEAMtalk revealed over the weekend that Brighton & Hove Albion are planning on sending Tommy Watson out on loan in the January transfer window, after signing for the Seagulls during the latter stages of the 2024/25 campaign.

He saw the season out at Sunderland, scoring the winning goal against Sheffield United in the play-off final. Derby and Hull City both watched the winger in September, and with his game time limited at the AMEX Stadium, the Championship is calling once again for the 19-year-old.

While the Rams have not been reported as one of those still interested in the teenager, scouts at the club may still have him on their radar.

Nevertheless, Alan Nixon has reported that Millwall are extremely keen on Watson, and with their promotion ambitions, he could be a good fit for the Lions.

John Eustace reveals more about Jake Rooney's Derby County future

Jake Rooney spent the first-half of the campaign on loan at Barnsley in League One, but the 22-year-old played just once in the league under the guidance of former teammate Conor Hourihane, and was duly recalled by his parent club.

The 22-year-old, who is the cousin of ex-Derby boss and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, is yet to play for the Rams this season, but his manager is incredibly pleased with his work away from the pitch.

Nevertheless, Eustace has admitted that Rooney needs to be playing games, and when asked about his future at Pride Park, he said (via: Derbyshire Live): "I think Jake's contract's up at the end of the year, and he's a terrific lad. He trains every day, he's very professional if called upon in the first team, I've got no problems about playing him in the position.

"But it's important also that he goes out and gets a run of games somewhere just to keep developing his career."