How Derby County feel about selling Andi Weimann as shock late development emerges | OneFootball

Andi Weimann has had late interest in his services on transfer deadline day and Derby County have made their stance known.

Andi Weimann has been linked with a surprise exit from Derby County on transfer deadline day, with the Rams making their stance clear on the versatile forward.

Born in Vienna, Weimann began his football education at local side FC Stadlau before moving to Rapid Wien’s youth setup as a teenager. His talent caught the eye of Aston Villa, which saw him — aged just 16 — cross the Channel to join their academy in 2007.

Weimann progressed through Villa’s ranks and made his Premier League debut all the way back in 2010, also spending two separate loan spells at Watford to gain senior experience. He racked up over 100 appearances for Villa before signing for Derby County in 2015.

He spent three years, with a loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers in between, with Derby in his first stint. However, he is perhaps most known for his time in the Championship with Bristol City.

Now 34, John Eustace signed Weimann for both Blackburn Rovers and Derby, having been a teammate of the Austrian's at Watford as a player. However, after a long career in England, Weimann has never featured in his home country.

John Eustace and Derby County knock back approach for Andi Weimann

Weimann has 26 caps for Austria and two goals and two assists since 2012, but a 16-year-long professional career in England has continued after he penned a one-year deal with the Rams in the summer.

Weimann has scored just once, with three assists, in his second stint at Pride Park. He has made 27 appearances but only started in six of them. He could perhaps be forgiven for wanting a move when he turns 25 in a few months and with not long left of his career.

Weimann spent two seasons in Rapid Vienna's academy before Aston Villa snapped him up, but a return was possible after they approached Derby for the forward.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph states that Derby are not looking to sell him in this window and that the Austrian Bundesliga outfit are expected to move on to other targets on deadline day.

Sky Austria's Eric Niederseer claims that they blocked the enquiry and they currently have no plans to sell Weimann, in spite of his sporadic game time at Pride Park.

Andi Weimann's career stats and his vast experience is vital for Derby County

Weimann, at least in his prime, is an extremely useful and effective utility player. He can operate as a winger on either flank, just behind the striker as an attacking midfielder, or as an out-and-out centre-forward himself.

Due to his age and pace somewhat diminishing, he is more often a central player, but he's also a leader and character in the dressing room; they can be invaluable in a play-off push.

It would not be altogether surprising to see him return to Austria at some stage in the twilight of his career, but County need the depth he brings and the personality Eustace clearly loves as well.