Derby County closing in on temporary transfer swoop for ex-Liverpool midfielder | OneFootball

Former Liverpool player Bobby Clark is set to join Derby County on loan for the season from Austrian club RB Salzburg

Derby County are closing in on the signing of Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Bobby Clark, with the 20-year-old set to arrive on a loan deal.

As per Pete O'Rourke via X, England youth international Clark is having a medical with the Rams ahead of a loan switch from his current club, in a deal that will last for the whole 2025-26 season.

John Eustace has been able to show Derby's new-found ambition in the transfre market this summer following a tight relegation battle at the end of the last Championship campaign, with Clark set to be the ninth arrival at Pride Park so far this summer.

Bobby Clark set for Derby County loan switch

Clark joined Salzburg from Liverpool in 2024 for a fee believed to be around the £10 million mark, after the 20-year-old struggled to gain any valuable playing time at Anfield, making just 14 senior appearances for the Merseyside club.

The English youth international followed former Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders to Salzburg after the Dutchman secured the top job with the Red Bull outfit.

Clark began his Salzburg career with sporadic appearances. He never nailed down a consistent place in the starting eleven, making 25 appearances for the Austrian club last season, including six in the Champions League, though he only managed 13 starts.

The former Liverpool midfielder will join ex-Anfield team-mate Owen Beck on loan with the Rams as Eustace's side aims to stay well away from relegation danger in the upcoming season.

David Ozoh has also rejoined the Rams on loan for the season from Crystal Palace after his campaign was cut short in Derbyshire last year following injury issues, as Eustace looks to strengthen a midfield already containing Ebou Adams and Kenzo Goudmijn.

John Eustace is looking to shoot Derby County up the table - Bobby Clark deal will help to do that

Derby have flexed their muscles in the transfer market this summer, especially with the exciting signing of USMNT striker, Patrick Agyemang, who has moved to English football from MLS side Charlotte in a deal which could rise to £6.5 million.

Eustace left fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers midway through last season in a switch that raised eyebrows at the time, given Derby were much lower in the table and in real danger of relegation.

However, the Englishman seems to be justifying his move with the additions he has been able to make to this Derby squad, with Clark another exciting signing that could help take the Pride Park outfit to the next level.

With Rhian Brewster having signed on the dotted line following his free move from Sheffield United and Carlton Morris joining for an undisclosed fee, who has Premier League experience from Luton, Clark's addition is just one of many exciting additions this summer.

If the Salzburg loanee - who cost £10 million just a year ago - can manage to find meaningful minutes in the Championship this season, then he may be able to reignite his career and earn a starting berth in Austria, or earn an even bigger move.

Clark will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson, who all joined the Rams on loan for a season before taking themselves to the next level.

With the transfer window not shutting until 7pm on September 1, Derby still have time to add to what is already a much more competitive side than last season, with Clark's addition just being the latest.