"Bad news" - Pundit issues Derby County, Eiran Cashin transfer claim as Brighton renew transfer saga | OneFootball

The Rams have received a bid for Eiran Cashin, but have rejected it.

Derby County have rejected a bid for Eiran Cashin from Brighton and have stated that he is not for sale at any price this month, with ex-England international Carlton Palmer backing the Rams to keep hold of their star beyond the February 3 transfer deadline.

The 23-year-old centre-back has been excellent for the Rams this season, and has continued to be a presence at the back for his side.

Cashin has been targeted by the Seagulls in previous windows, with the Premier League side making him a target in the summer of 2023, but they are remaining firm that the defender will not be moved on before the end of this season after a bid was sent on Monday evening.

Derby are struggling towards the bottom of the Championship table, and they need all the help they can get and losing one of their key players at such an important time would have left them desperately short at the back.

Derby County backed by Carlton Palmer to retain Eiran Cashin at all costs

Curtis Nelson's knee ligament injury has left the Rams incredibly light defensively, with Nat Phillips also a doubt for the next couple of weeks after pulling up against Leyton Orient.

Therefore, Cashin is the only fit, experienced centre-back that Paul Warne currently has at his disposal at Derby, and he will not want to lose someone with such high potential.

It's a decision that the former England and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, Palmer, believes is the correct one.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World before the latest development, that the bid had been rejected, he said: "Derby County, after a solid start to the season, have dropped off the pace to 19th in the Championship, and they are only one point ahead of the relegation places (prior to facing Sunderland on Tuesday evening).

"So, it's not good news to hear that Brighton made a bid for their talented centre-back Eiran Cashin. They tried to sign him before.

"I think a fee was agreed for about £4m, but it was too late to get the deal through before the transfer deadline. So, this is bad news for Derby in the position they are in at the moment.

"They've got one or two injury problems as well in defensive positions. That's not what Paul Warne would like to hear, but given Derby's plight, he was not able to splash the money in the transfer market when they got promoted. He has improved the squad with players that he's brought in, but he's been bringing players on free transfers."

Palmer continued: "I don't believe they’d entertain it. He's 23, he's only going to go up in value, and he's a very, very good player. I can't see them entertaining it unless it was a huge, huge offer.

"He's been instrumental since he made the breakthrough into the team. In 2021/22 he made 18 appearances, in 2022/23 he made 52 and in 2023/24 season another 52, so he’s very consistent. This season he’s made 21 appearances and also has picked up an injury.

"Derby are in a very strong position. He's under contract until 2027, penning a fresh contract last year. So, they're in a very, very strong position are Derby, and I can't believe they'll entertain or sanction a move in this window unless it's a real, real big offer."

Brighton may have to look elsewhere following Derby County rebuff over Eiran Cashin

Cashin is one of the first names on the teamsheet every week, and therefore, it is not a surprise to see that the offer has been rejected by the Rams.

A deal may still happen in the summer when Derby have more time to make the changes that they need to their squad, but for now Cashin will remain in black-and-white.

He has been entrusted in the past to let his football do the talking after a failed bid from Brighton, and he will be again by Warne as the Rams aim to finish above the relegation zone in their first season back in the Championship.

If the Seagulls look elsewhere this month, that will only help Derby in the future, as they will want to keep hold of the talented centre-back for as long as possible, and help him mature into a defender ready for the Premier League.