Derby County's £0 ace might leave for free - Charlton & West Brom could swoop | OneFootball

Rhian Brewster could leave Derby County in the summer upon the expiry of his deal, as Charlton and West Brom must be ready to pounce

Derby County headed into the international break towards the foot of the table, and as head coach John Eustace will be looking to utilise this three-week break as an opportunity to turn the Rams' form around, the 46-year-old will be looking to some of his stars to step up to help turn the ship around.

Indeed, just one win in their opening eight league games sees Derby occupy one of the three relegation places heading into the first international break of the season, with only Preston North End and Burnley keeping them off rock-bottom.

It's been a far from ideal start for the Rams, who will be hoping to return to winning ways upon the return of Championship football when they host Wrexham after the international break.

With just seven goals in their opening eight games, Derby are joint last for goals scored in the English second tier as things stand, as Eustace must start demanding more from his forward options, including Rhian Brewster, who, at the moment, is set to leave Pride Park in less than 12 months.

Why Championship clubs should be looking at Rhian Brewster's contract situation

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Brewster, 26, joined Derby on a free transfer in the summer of 2025 after snubbing a new deal with Sheffield United, penning a two-year stay with the Rams, which is due to expire in 2027.

The former Chelsea and Liverpool youth player burst onto the scene on loan with Swansea City, scoring ten in 20 Championship games in the second half of the 2019/20 season, and subsequently earning a blockbuster £23.5 million move to Sheffield United the following summer.

However, the U17 World Cup champion failed to exhibit the form he briefly showed during his time in South Wales whilst at Bramall Lane, and after just nine goals in all competitions in five years, was allowed to leave for Derby in 2025.

Brewster would show glimpses of his quality under Eustace last season, but with Bobby Clark and Sammie Szmodics ahead of him in the pecking order, he has struggled for minutes, as Football League World takes a look at two Championship clubs that should be considering moves for the Englishman next summer.

Charlton Athletic

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Charlton Athletic stormed out of the blocks to begin the new Championship season, winning all three of their opening games, but heading into the international break, having failed to win any of their past five, as Nathan Jones comes crashing back down to earth.

The Addicks did not spend beyond their means in the summer, largely relying on free transfers, loans, and deals for minimal fees. Karlan Grant and Nathaniel Chalobah joined for free, Tyler Bindon and Arthur Okonkwo arrived on loan, and Millenic Alli and Ivan Mesik signed for nominal fees.

As Jones looks to build upon the foundations he has helped to lay at The Valley and push Charlton up the second tier, the Welshman may already be looking ahead to next summer just in case, and given the club's nous for identifying free agents, ought to be considering a move for Brewster.

The 26-year-old has struggled to find the form he once did during his six-month spell with Swansea, and maybe hasn't found the right home since, as a return to London may get the best out of him.

Capable of playing anywhere in the final third, Jones would certainly make use of Brewster, and the former Chelsea and Liverpool academy player could thrive in a different environment.

He ought to be at the peak of his powers in the next couple of years, and if Charlton believe they can get the best out of him, this deal should be a no-brainer for the Addicks.

West Bromwich Albion

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West Bromwich Albion, like many other Championship clubs, will have ambitions of playing Premier League football next season, and given the form they have displayed since James Morrison took to the helm, one would be brave to deny that they are true promotion contenders.

The Baggies barely survived last season, and are looking to ensure that they are not involved in any sort of scrap towards the bottom of the table this time around.

If promotion is indeed secured, then more ambitious targets will likely be identified, but if they are not, Brewster could be an excellent fit at The Hawthorns.

West Brom are not blessed with the financial muscle like other clubs in the division, and will surely be on the lookout for potential bargains ahead of next summer, as Brewster ought to be on their radar.

With over a century of games in the Championship, Brewster now boasts a wealth of experience at this level, and given West Brom's pursuit of Cameron Archer in the recent window, Morrison clearly wanted another attacking option before the deadline.