Brighton star signs: How Derby County's dream January transfer window looks | OneFootball

FLW discuss both potential incomings and outgoings that could potentially happen this winter for the Rams

FLW take a look at how Derby County's dream January transfer window could look, with both incomings and outgoings being discussed.

Given that Liverpool loanee Owen Beck is going back to Anfield having not played a single competitive minute for the Rams through injury, manager John Eustace may already be turning his attention towards addressing the left-back position.

It's worth noting that Beck was one of 13 players that arrived at Pride Park in the summer, and 12 departed - so more ins and outs are perhaps not out of the question anyway.

When considering the East Midlands outfit are still at risk of losing Bobby Clark to Celtic, with The Times reporting a £6m move is being lined up, there is definitely work to be done.

Please bear in mind this is a suggestive list, looking at dream but realistic transfers that could happen at Derby in a couple of months time.

If Bobby Clark does end up going north of the border in January, perhaps his dream replacement would be former Derby academy prospect Timi Max Elšnik, who now plays for Serbia's most successful club, FK Crvena Zvezda.

Before making the switch to Serbia for a reported €1.5m, Elšnik helped Slovenia reach the round of 16 during Euro 2024, without losing a single game throughout the competition in 90 minutes.

Now 27-years-old, Elšnik came to Derby as a scholar at the start of 15/16, but struggled to break into the first-team squad and spent time on loan at Swindon Town, Mansfield Town and Northampton Town.

At the end of last season, the Slovene scored six goals and provided 13 assists for Red Star across all competitions - including three assists in the Champions League!

What makes this potential move intriguing is the love that Elšnik still has for Derby - even though he never made a league appearance for the club, you could suggest that at some point he wants to come back.

Having recently scored against current Derby No1 Jacob Widell Zetterstrom in a World Cup qualifying match, the midfielder took to social media and shared a picture of the two after the game - and the replies were filled with fans wanting him to "come home."

Personal sentiment aside, he has contributed to 30 goals across his last two seasons from centre midfield - one with Olimpija Ljubljana and the other with Red Star - so he's definitely developed into a quality player.

Derby might need another body in midfield anyway, regardless of Clark's situation. David Ozoh obviously got injured against Blackburn Rovers and joins captain Lewis Travis for a spell on the sidelines, whilst Liam Thompson is not back yet and Ebou Adams has already served a suspension for picking up too many yellow cards.

The Daily Mail reported in the summer that Derby "study" Japan's top-flight closely, and with Beck's loan spell confirmed to be over, a dream replacement could well be found in Asia - that is Kawasaki Frontale's Sota Miura.

Also, taking into account the Rams nearly signed Japanese winger Koki Saito in the summer, a move for a Japanese international could be nearing.

Saito, of course, snubbed Pride Park to re-join Queens Park Rangers after the Rams had reportedly matched the valuation set by his then-club Lommel.

Left-back Miura, who has six assists so far this season, is 25-years-old and could provide Eustace with much-needed competition for Callum Elder.

At the start of the season, you could argue that left-back was one of the main concerns surrounding the Derby team. Although Elder has perhaps surprised many by his performances this season, with Beck's recall imminent, it's highly likley that another left-back will sign in January.

2 ? ? Brighton's Tommy Watson has already been linked with a loan move to Derby, as per journalistAlan Nixon via his Patreon, who said that Championship rivals Preston North End and Hull City are also interested in the ex-Mackem.

The 19-year-old scored the decisive goal in Sunderland's play-off final victory over Sheffield United before making the £10m move to the Amex Stadium - which was already a done deal by that point - but Premier League opportunities have remained limited.

A temporary switch would obviously allow him to play regular football in the second tier again, and Watson could inject some much-needed pace and creativity into Eustace's setup.

FLW's Derby County Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, has already urged the club to sign Watson in January, saying he's got "real ability."

1 ? ? OUT - Corey Blackett-Taylor and Kayden Jackson

In pre-season, Corey Blackett-Taylor scored five goals and managed two assists - but the 28-year-old found himself injured for six weeks in August, before suffering another setback in October which has left him warming up the substitutes' bench and not even coming on the pitch.

Woodward again called for Blackett-Taylor to be loaned out in the next few months, and it's hard to see the ex-Charlton Athletic man staying at the club beyond winter unless anything changes to any of his competition. But even then, Blackett-Taylor is a natural winger, and Eustace hasn't been setting his Derby team up in a way that suits him.

Similarly, Kayden Jackson has found playing time limited as Eustace continues to integrate his summer signings. The former Ipswich Town man has started two league games this season and has come off the bench a further eight times - normally just to see off games though.

The total combined Championship minutes of the forward duo is just 363 minutes, and you could imagine if the likes of Watson signs in January, at least one of these two will leave.