Derby County in "advanced talks" to complete Blackpool transfer | OneFootball

The Rams want to add the goal-scoring centre-mid to their ranks.

Derby County are said to be nearing a deal to sign Blackpool midfielder Sonny Carey.

Hopes for a much improved campaign next time out at Pride Park, with a full season of John Eustace at the wheel, are pretty high.

Their form following his appointment was nothing like their final finishing position in the Championship table, and there were certainly aspects of the team that could act as a strong base to build off.

One point that they did struggle with was scoring goals. Derby only scored just over one goal per game. Jerry Yates, the club's top scorer in the league (10), has left the Rams following the end of his loan spell from Swansea City. They have also lost Kayden Jackson and Marcus Harness following the expiration of their respective temporary stays with the club.

Derby County moving closer to signing Sonny Carey from Blackpool

Derby are looking to take steps to address their abilities in front of goal, though. Blackpool midfielder Carey is a player that they are targeting, according to Pete O'Rourke, with "advanced talks" said to be going on.

The Tangerines, who Carey has played for since the summer of 2021, when he was bought from non-league side King's Lynn Town for close to £100,000, revealed in their 2024/25 retained list that they were in discussions with the 24-year-old, but they may be pipped to his signature by Eustace's side.

Carey has clocked just shy of 50 second tier appearances in his career and ended the last campaign with eight goals in League One.

Football League World has also exclusively reported that Derby are looking to add Blackburn Rovers' Andi Weimann to their forward options this summer, as well as centre-back Danny Batth. Eustace worked with both players before leaving Ewood Park to join County in February.

Sonny Carey represents smart business for Derby

Carey would bring a true scoring threat to the middle of the park for Derby. This wasn't something that they lacked, relatively, in their team last season. Ebou Adams was the club's second top scorer in the league with six goals in 44 appearances, but it would certainly help the Rams to have the extra threat that Carey could provide in midfield.

But potentially the biggest upside for Derby is that, in the 24-year-old, they would get a young player who has a good amount of experience at their level without having to pay a transfer fee. County aren't a cash-rich club, especially compared to some of their second-tier competitors, so pulling off deals like this, should they get it done, is crucial to their success.