Why Derby County Bringing Harrison Armstrong back to Pride Park makes sense – Three things John Eustace must do in the summer transfer window at Derby County,

Why Derby County Bringing Harrison Armstrong back to Pride Park makes sense – Three things John Eustace must do in the summer transfer window at Derby County,

Derby County are preparing for a huge squad overhaul this summer, with eight players leaving at the end of their contract, while one squad member has already departed for another club.

With Nathaniel Mendez-Laing now reunited with Paul Warne at MK Dons, the Rams have already started their transfer window positively as they off-load players whose impact had started to diminish.

However, they now need to find replacements quickly, and after a spectacular turnaround under John Eustace, the East Midlands side have to make improvements to ensure that they are not fighting against relegation once again in 2025/26, after they confirmed their second tier status on the final day of the season.

Derby’s CEO, Stephen Pearce, has revealed the club’s transfer policy already, and EFL Analysis has taken a look at three things the Championship outfit must do this summer.

Three things Derby County must do in the summer transfer window

Bring Harrison Armstrong back to Pride Park

Harrison Armstrong had an incredible loan spell with the Rams in the second-half of the 2024/25 campaign, and Eustace has to find a way to bring the teenager back to Pride Park in the coming months.

Despite what will be obvious interest, Derby will have to wait to get their hands on Armstrong, with Everton set to evaluate him over pre-season before deciding if he shall stay at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, or be allowed a move back to the EFL.

There will be plenty of competition for Armstrong’s signature, but his love for the Rams is clear to see, and supporters will be hoping that this gives them an advantage in any transfer battle.

Derby County have to find a new striker

Jerry Yates led the line for Derby in 2024/25, but the Swansea City man looks unlikely to return as a permanent member of Eustace’s squad and a new number nine will be needed.

The Rams struggled for goals throughout last season, with a reliance on set-pieces something that the head coach may want to step away from.

Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, who signed in the January window, showed positive signs before he was struck down with injury. However the club need to find a younger option to become the first-choice striker, while at least one more forward will be desired for cover – something that the club lacked severely last season.

Craig Forsyth and Callum Elder need cover at left-back

While there will also be a focus on bringing in wingers, a position that Eustace has to fill this summer is at left-back, with his options relatively limited.

Craig Forsyth is negotiating a new contract with the club, but at 36, there will be an uncertainty as to whether he can perform for an entire campaign, with Callum Elder also a concern due to the number of injuries that he has racked up in his career at Derby.

Bringing in an attacking, young full-back to match Kane Wilson on the right flank is vital to the direction that the club are going to go in beyond next season. Eustace needs someone to take the mantle from Forsyth in the coming years, and finding a left-back should be a priority.