The Derby County duo are still in search of a club after being released this summer.
Examining Derby County’s transfer activity at this late point in the summer transfer window, it is easy to conclude that Paul Warne is leading a very different team than the one that won the league title and advanced the Rams to the NFL in 2023–2024.
After being promoted, Derby County’s retained list featured a sizable amount of departures, especially in the midfield and attacking departments.
Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith, among others, left Pride Park after their contracts expired, which resulted in several adjustments made to the park’s centre during the summer.
With the notable additions of Jerry Yates and Kayden Jackson prior to the 2024–2025 Championship season, as well as the most recent loan signing of Tawanda Chirewa from Wolverhampton Wanderers, the offence has also undergone a full transformation.
Due to the notable summertime losses, two of whom are still seeking a club, these offensive acquisitions were made.
Former Derby County duo Dwight Gayle and Martyn Waghorn still looking for summer move
The summer saw Rams attacking duo Dwight Gayle and Martyn Waghorn leave the club following the end of their contracts, and the pair are still yet to find their
Both Gayle and Waghorn were involved in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s squad of free-agents that took on League One side Cambridge United, playing alongside the likes of Ravel Morrison, Michael Hector and Jamal Blackman.
Waghorn returned to Pride Park following spells at Coventry City and Huddersfield Town, and the 34-year-old was able to make a significant contribution to the Rams’ promotion bid in the 2023/24 season, scoring seven goals in 24.
Gayle on the other hand joined the club for just half a season, scoring three goals and notching an assist in just 325 minutes of league football.
Dwight Gayle could be useful for Derby County this season
Whilst he shouldn’t be first choice in terms of bringing in extra firepower for Derby County this season, Gayle certainly showed promise in his six appearances for the club before his time was cut back as a result of injuries.
Gayle may not come out on top against the likes of Yates and Jackson, but as someone to bring on from off the bench, the 34-year-old could prove to be useful, and with him being a free agent, it would be quite a shrewd coup for Warne’s side, providing that wages aren’t too steep.
Stints in the Championship showed that Gayle maybe was no longer up to the level of Championship football, however he appeared to have got his confidence back up in Warne’s set-up, and his abilities could easily make a significant difference that should not be underestimated.
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