Adil Rami of Sevilla during the UEFA Super Cup match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at Lerkendal Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Trondheim, Norway. (Getty Images)
According to the Athletic (Subscription required), Derby County are set to launch a transfer swoop to land French World Cup-winning defender Adil Rami.
Adil Rami, 34, hasn’t been getting regular first-team football at Fenerbahce since his move from Marseille. He has made just two appearances this season and game time is important if he is to secure a place in the French national team for Euro 2020.
Derby County’s unbeaten start to 2020 came to an end on Tuesday evening as they lost 3-2 to Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. With the defeat, the Rams remain 16th in the Championship and they will now prepare to face Stoke City on Friday evening at the Bet365 Stadium.
Against a Luton Town side that is rock bottom of the Championship table, Phillip Cocu’s Derby side conceded three goals. To make the night even worse for Cocu, Max Lowe was sent off with two minutes remaining, for dissent against the referee. After the completion of 29 games, the Pride Park outfit have conceded 39 goals.
If the Rams are to give themselves a chance of making it to the playoffs, Cocu should strengthen his defence, which has disappointed throughout this campaign.
Derby have lacked a leader in defence since sacking Richard Keogh earlier this season. Curtis Davies is 34 and cannot be considered as a long-term option going forward. Matthew Clarke arrived on loan from Brighton before the start of the season but has struggled with injury problems.
Therefore, Derby must sign a central defender this month and Adil Rami would be a good fit at Pride Park.
Rami has enjoyed a good career across Europe, first coming to prominence in France with Lille. The 34-year-old then enjoyed spells with AC Milan, Sevilla and Valencia, and finally came back to France with Marseille.
He was also a member of the 2018 French World Cup-winning squad, although he did not make an appearance during the tournament in Russia.
The Frenchman has played European football and would bolster Derby’s backline with experience, whilst adding depth to their squad. Adil could turn out to be the leader that the Rams defence has lacked since Keogh’s dismissal.
Derby must bring in a central defender as quickly as possible to stem the flow of goals. Thus, Cocu and co. must do everything possible to sign Rami from Fenerbahce before Friday’s deadline.
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