Derby County Revitalizes Quest for Striker Upgrade: Targeting 28-Goal Sensation to Outshine James Collins

Derby County is gearing up for a return to the Championship following their automatic promotion, clinched with a crucial victory over Carlisle on Saturday.

Regarding their summer transfer strategy, Paul Warne has assembled a seasoned squad at Pride Park, with several players familiar with the demands of thriving in the second tier. Consequently, the Rams are fortunate not to require sweeping alterations but rather focus on selectively enhancing their squad with quality additions.

 

Nevertheless, there are a few glaring issues in the squad, and most would agree that they need to add more goals to the team.

Derby County had a previous interest in Macaulay Langstaff

One player who could do just that is Macaulay Langstaff, with the Notts County striker having enjoyed another remarkable season with the Magpies, and it’s been claimed that he is someone Derby were tracking in the January window.

Having scored 42 goals to help the club back to the Football League, the 27-year-old followed that by finding the net 28 times in the fourth tier.

Absolutely, Langstaff could be a valuable addition for Derby County post-promotion. While there may be doubts about his transition to the Championship, the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

Chris Gallagher believes it’s a no-brainer for Derby to target Langstaff. Despite his goals coming primarily in lower leagues, Langstaff’s instincts and composure in front of goal make him a promising prospect. With the need for firepower evident in Derby’s squad, especially with the step up to the Championship, acquiring at least two strikers, including Langstaff, could be crucial for their goal-scoring ambitions.

We know that the Rams aren’t going to be able to splash huge sums of money this summer – and nor should they. Instead, they will search for potential bargains, and look to give players from the lower levels a chance.

At 27, Langstaff is a player ready to make an impact immediately, so he fits the profile of what Derby should be looking for, and he would surely relish the chance to make the move to Pride Park. So, it’s a potential deal that makes sense for both the club and the player.

Ben Wignall

It’s clear that Derby County will be in the market for a new striker this summer, especially given that their current options in that position are all over 30 years old.

Paul Warne returned to his trusted wing-back system for most of the last two months of the season, which led to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing being deployed as a striker. However, it’s evident that Derby’s top player isn’t as effective in that role. With Conor Washington being the only other available option for next season, reinforcements are essential.

This is where Langstaff comes into play once again. He has consistently proven himself as a prolific goalscorer over three seasons at Gateshead and Notts County. Langstaff seems like the type of player who continues to excel as he climbs up the leagues.

What Langstaff needs most as a penalty box predator is good service, which he should receive from players like Mendez-Laing, Kane Wilson, and Louie Sibley from wide positions.

While acquiring Langstaff might require a fee upwards of £1 million from Notts County, it would undoubtedly be a worthwhile investment for David Clowes. Despite Langstaff’s impressive 14 goals in League One last season, he represents an upgrade over James Collins.

GET MORE NEWS HERE