John Eustace sent clear Derby County transfer message as ex-Barnsley FC star eyed | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County Fan Pundit has weighed in on the Rams' reported interest in Moroccan playmaker, Amine Bassi.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Derby County have been sent a clear transfer message involving Amine Bassi, after it emerged on Friday evening that the Championship side are showing an interest in the attacking midfielder.

The Moroccan playmaker has been a free agent since leaving Houston Dynamo at the end of the 2025 MLS season, and according to FootMercato, the Rams are looking to bring him to Pride Park this month.

It would not be the 28-year-old's first taste of Championship football, having previously spent the second-half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Barnsley, but he could not stop the Tykes from suffering relegation to League One.

Nevertheless, after a successful time across the Atlantic, where he won the US Open Cup in 2023, Bassi is keen on a return to Europe.

However, Derby have been warned that he is not the right player for them.

Derby County told to avoid deal for Amine Bassi

In 114 games for Houston Dynamo, the midfielder scored 21 goals and registered 18 assists. More than half of those goals came in his first season at the club, and in the last year he has not been as prolific.

However, he was excellent during his sole season in the Championship, and the Rams' interest may not come as a complete surprise. But, when asked if the club should make a move for an attacking midfielder, Football League World's Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, said: "No, I don't think the number 10 is a priority at all.

"I think now with Bobby Clark playing in that position. You could argue the likes of Brewster or Diaz could also play in that number 10 role, when Morris comes back. So, for me, that isn't an area we need to be prioritising. I think we desperately need a left wing-back, left-back to give Elder some competition. Also, we really could do with another centre-forward."

Shaun continued: "We're relying on Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang to play through the middle while Morris is out. I don't think either of them look very comfortable in that role. Lars-Jorgen Salvesen obviously isn't rated by Eustace because he doesn't play him, even though that would be his position.

"So, another centre-forward or a left wing-back for me. But no, I don't think that the number 10 role is something we really need to be looking at, at this moment."

Derby County's midfield is packed full of quality already

While goalscoring midfielders are at a premium in Derby's squad, it must be said that John Eustace does have plenty of players at his disposal in that area of the pitch.

Bobby Clark has impressed, and his position will be hard to take, with Brewster also able to play in that role if needed. Therefore, Bassi is not a priority signing.

Derby are lacking cover at full-back, especially after Ryan Nyambe's loan move to Reading and Owen Beck's return to Liverpool earlier this month as he failed to make an appearance due to injury problems.

Signing more striker cover is also vital, with Carlton Morris still coming back from a leg injury sustained in November. The Rams are pushing for a play-off spot, and the end of the January transfer window is crucial for them. Signings need to be right, otherwise their chances of a surprise top six finish will be over quickly.