da heads bet： According to reports in The Mirror, Derby County manager Gary Rowett is ready to cash in on £10m-rated Tom Ince this summer in order to boost the funds he has to strengthen his squad.
da bet7： The Rams were one of the pre-season favourites for promotion last summer with Nigel Pearson at the helm, but a disappointing spell for the former Leicester City boss came to an end in October and he was succeeded by Steve McClaren and then Rowett in March.
County finished the campaign in ninth position and 13 points adrift of the play-off positions, and Rowett knows he will need to make changes this summer in order for them to be in contention next term, which could include selling Ince.
The 25-year-old was the east Midlands outfit’s top scorer in the Championship having netted 14 goals in 45 league appearances, while he provided a further eight assists to attract the attention of the likes of newly-promoted Newcastle United.
Rowett will know that he could potentially bring in a number of new additions with the money, and he will have already identified his targets.
Here are five players Derby could sign if they sell Ince for £10m…
Grant Hanley
The defender would have hoped to establish himself as a first choice centre-back at St James’ Park following his move from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United last summer, but he struggled to break into Rafa Benitez’s starting line-up.
The 25-year-old made just 10 appearances in the Championship – and 16 in all competitions – as he struggled to dislodge the partnership between captain Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark, and he looks set to leave the club this summer following their promotion back to the Premier League.
The Mirror suggests that Derby are keen, and he could even be used as part of a deal for Ince with the Magpies said to be interested in the Rams star.
Aaron Mooy
The midfielder joined Huddersfield Town on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City last summer following his surprise arrival at the Etihad from Melbourne City, and he has made a huge impression in the middle of the park for the Terriers.
David Wagner’s men secured a surprise play-off spot following an outstanding campaign, and they will contest the final against Reading later this month.
The outcome on that match could well decide the 26-year-old’s future, but with a future with City seemingly unlikely, he could be available either on loan or on a permanent deal during the summer.
Daryl Murphy
Rafa Benitez presumably brought in the Republic of Ireland international from Ipswich Town last summer to provide some Championship experience up top for his squad, and the striker certainly played his part in the Magpies securing an immediate return to the Premier League.
The 34-year-old scored five goals in 19 league appearances for the Toon Army to show that he still has something to offer at this level, and he looks certain to leave St James’ Park this summer.
Rowett could be keen to add a player that has won promotion from the division to his squad.
Daniel Ayala
After helping Middlesbrough return to the Premier League following some magnificent performances at the heart of the defence in the Championship last season, the Spanish centre-back would have had high hopes that he could make a big impression in the top flight.
However, injury problems and often being overlooked because of the partnership between Calum Chambers and Ben Gibson at the heart of the defence mean that his future is in doubt despite the club’s relegation.
If Rowett is looking for a new centre-half he would do a lot worse than try and offer the 26-year-old a fresh start with the Rams.
Josh Morris
Having scored an incredible 19 goals and provided a further 16 assists for Scunthorpe United in League One this season, there is no doubt that the 25-year-old left-sided player will be attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs this summer.
With the Iron losing out to Millwall in the play-offs, the winger is likely to want to step up a division and Rowett would be mad not to take a closer look at the former Blackburn Rovers man.
In fact, he was linked with Morris when he was still in charge of Birmingham City last year and the wide man could actually be the ideal replacement for Ince.
Do you agree, Rams fans? Let us know below.