The Athletic’s Derby County correspondent Ryan Conway discussed all of the latest transfer news concerning the Rams during the latest edition of his Derby Digest YouTube show.
The journalist answered viewers’ questions about all-things Derby during the show and one viewer asked him about the possibility of the East Midlands club signing former Everton centre-forward Oumar Niasse, who is a free agent at present and has been linked with a move to Pride Park recently.
On that topic, Conway shared that he heard the Rams were interested in signing the 30-year-old during Phillip Cocu’s tenure as manager, but he feels that unless this is Derby’s “last resort,” then they should avoid the £2.25m-rated unattached attacker.
He said: “Oumar Niasse was a name that I heard doing the rounds a little bit when Cocu was there. I wouldn’t be keen on Oumar Niasse, if I’m honest. If that is your last resort, then fine, go for it – but I wouldn’t be keen on it.”
Should Derby sign Niasse?
YES
NO
TIF Thoughts on what Conway said about a potential Derby County move for Niasse…
Niasse did play with current Derby manager Wayne Rooney at Everton during the 2017/18 season, in which the Senegalese forward enjoyed his most prolific campaign in England’s top-flight, providing 11 goal contributions in 22 Premier League appearances.
If the Rams boss feels that he could get a similar tune out of the striker at Pride Park in the Championship, then with Derby struggling in front of goal, having bagged just 17 goals in their 26 league games this season – the second-worst goalscoring record of any Championship side at present, perhaps it would make sense for Derby to snap him up, especially as he is a free agent.
However, given that he is a free agent, this deal doesn’t need to be done by deadline day, so perhaps Derby fans will have to wait a bit longer to find out if Rooney rates his ex-teammate enough to bring him to Pride Park, or if he shares Conway’s view.