Exclusive: Derby County plotting transfer raid for Stockport County star | OneFootball

Derby County are eyeing a move for Stockport County attacker Jack Diamond ahead of the January transfer window, Football League World has learned

Derby County are one of a number of Championship clubs weighing up a potential move for Stockport County forward Jack Diamond ahead of the upcoming January transfer window, sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World.

John Eustace's side have established themselves in the middle of the pack in the Championship after avoiding relegation back to League One on the final day of the previous campaign, with the Rams positioned in 12th place after 21 matches heading into Saturday afternoon's fixture against strugglers Portsmouth at Pride Park.

The Rams welcomed a flurry of fresh faces to Derbyshire throughout the summer transfer window and have made undoubted progress following their return to the Championship last term, although more consistency - and more arrivals - may be needed if Eustace is to direct them deeper into the top-half of the table, leading County to run the rule over a potential swoop for Diamond next month.

Derby County and other Championship clubs eyeing Stockport County, Jack Diamond transfer

As we edge ever closer to the commencement of the January window, Football League World can exclusively disclose that Derby are keeping tabs on Diamond amid Stockport's own push for promotion from League One to the Championship.

FLW understands, however, that Derby are among a number of second-tier sides to be casting eyes over the former Sunderland wide-man, who has no shortage of interest in his services after impressing throughout the first-half of the season at Edgeley Park.

Diamond has entered the final 18 months of his contract and Derby, along with others, are monitoring his situation ahead of a potential swoop.

The Gateshead-born attacker rose through the Sunderland ranks but would only make seven senior appearances for the Black Cats, spending time on loan with the likes of Spennymoor Town, Harrogate, Lincoln City and Carlisle United before leaving the Stadium of Light at the end of his contract last year.

Diamond promptly joined Stockport upon their promotion to League One, and has made a clear impression under Dave Challinor ever since. The 25-year-old, who can operate on either flank or through the middle, recorded five goals and five assists apiece across all competitions as Stockport reached the third-tier play-offs last time out.

Diamond has enjoyed even stronger form this term to help Stockport retain their status as one of League One's chief promotion contenders, with the Hatters sitting in sixth place — just five points shy of second-placed Bradford City.

The fleet-footed winger has weighed in with three goals and four assists from 19 League One outings to date, finding the back of the net in victories over Wycombe Wanderers, Burton Albion and Port Vale.

Jack Diamond's profile could appeal to John Eustace at Derby County

Diamond has never been particularly renowned for his end product infront of goal, with the versatile forward's most-prolific return coming during his 2022/23 loan stint at Lincoln, where he amassed six goals and four assists in 31 league appearances.

The ex-Black Cats man is, however, well-represented in the underlying data, and has a translatable profile which could adapt rather well to the Championship and offer a fresh dimension to Eustace's attack.

Diamond is averaging the second-most successful dribbles per 90 minutes in League one with 2.90, having completed 47 overall, while he's an attacking livewire with 19 chances created and 63 touches inside the opposition box.

Energetic in and out-of-possession with sleek and direct, progressive ball-carrying qualities and an explosive burst of pace accompanied by a willingness to press opponents high off-the-ball, Diamond always looks to get involved and make things happen in the final third.

For Derby, their chief source of creativity has come from wide areas, with rejuvenated wing-back Joel Ward setting up five goals and counting.

They are, though, somewhat short of creative central options — Eustace doesn't play with natural wingers and Diamond would have to operate in attacking midfield, where his natural speed, flair and creativity could just give the Rams an extra edge heading into the second-half of the campaign and beyond.