Derby County not predicted to seal £5m Koko Saito deal ahead of Birmingham City | OneFootball

FLW's Rams fan pundit doesn't hold out much hope that they can beat Birmingham to the signing of Koki Saito

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...

Koki Saito is on the radar of Championship clubs once more, following on from his loan spell in the English second tier in 2024/25 with QPR.

The Hoops have a few other sides to contend with for his signature, as Saito gears up to depart a Lommel side, whom he hasn't featured for since April 2022.

Mike McGrath reported that Derby County and Birmingham City are two sides looking to bring the Japanese winger to England permanently, with FC Twente of the Dutch Eredivisie also interested in Saito, who has a £5 million price tag on his head.

Both Derby and Birmingham have had exceptional transfer windows so far this summer, but both sets of fans would agree that they are still one winger away from reaching the next level, and Saito could help them reach that.

However, Shaun Woodward, FLW's Derby fan pundit, believes that £5 million may be too steep an asking price for John Eustace's side, and even if it wasn't, getting into a bidding war with the wealthy Birmingham is a battle he feels the Rams won't win.

Derby County fan pundit not confident in striking deal for Koki Saito

Speaking to Football League World, Woodward admitted that he'd love to see Saito in a Rams shirt, but can't exactly see it materialising this summer.

"We are in desperate need of wingers, but I just don't think we have £5 million to splash out on one player," he said.

"I'm not saying I wouldn't love to have him, but I just don't see it happening."

Saito only contributed three goals and three assists in 39 Championship games last season, but was incredibly lively at times, taking players on and creating chances.

Having just turned 24, he has the potential to really grow over the coming seasons.

"He's at a great age and could play for Derby for four, five, six years if he was successful, so he could be one for the future, like Agyemang is for us," Woodward continued.

"But I can't see us splashing out another five million, and even if we did, the likes of Birmingham coming in would likely see us miss out because they have more cash behind them at the moment.

"I couldn't see us winning if it became a bidding war; it's just not the way that Derby do things right now."

Under the ownership of Tom Wagner, Birmingham has not been shy about asserting their financial dominance.

This summer, their marquee signing of Kyogo Furuhashi could cost them up to £10.3 million if bonuses are met, and there has been a reported £10 million buy clause set in the loan move for Tommy Doyle.

Simply, if the Blues felt that £5 million for Saito was a good deal, they could easily make it happen, and Birmingham's strong ambitions and ability to get the best out of Asian stars would definitely attract the 24-year-old to the club ahead of their Championship rivals.

Therefore, Woodward is rather pessimistic.

"I'd love to be proven wrong," he said. "Only time will tell, so watch this space.

"But I can't see us bringing him in if Birmingham are in for him as well, sadly."

Koki Saito would be a great coup for any Championship side this season

Saito grew into the QPR side throughout last season. All three of his goals came in 2025, and his last 10 league appearances for the Hoops all came in the starting eleven.

The 24-year-old has all the tools to thrive wherever he ends up next, and his inclusion at Derby, Birmingham or back at QPR will better the squad throughout 2025/26.

At Derby, Saito would be guaranteed more starts, as the Rams are in desperate need to improve their wide options. This could place them in better stead compared to Birmingham, who have a squad enriched with talent, and the Japanese winger, therefore, may be subject to a bit of rotation throughout the year.

Arguably, though, that's all that Derby hold over a Blues side who would be able to offer him more in terms of wages and ambitions to be a Premier League club sooner rather than later.