Derby County are now in talks to sign West Bromwich Albion midfielder Alex Mowatt, who could join alongside Southampton striker Ben Brereton Diaz.
After Turki Alalshikh’s proposed takeover was abandoned at the 11th hour, Derby may have to change tack in the transfer market somewhat ahead of the September 1st deadline, but they remain interested in signing West Brom’s Mowatt.
An opening offer for the midfielder has already been knocked back, with the Baggies seemingly happy to keep hold of the 31-year-old, who picked up one goal and four assists in 39 Championship appearances last season.
The Albion star caught the eye during the 2024-25 campaign too, with former manager Carlos Corberan saying after a 3-0 victory against Portsmouth: ““Alex Mowatt’s level of finishing for his two goals was excellent and magic. We know he’s a player with very good finishing, so hopefully he keeps on giving us this level.”
An experienced midfielder, who has made 404 second tier outings, the Englishman had an impressive spell with Barnsley, chipping in with 20 goals and 23 assists in 162 matches, while also featuring in every single League One game during the Tykes’ promotion-winning 2018-19 campaign.
John Eustace’s current options in the middle of the park, on the other hand, have limited experience in the Championship, which suggests the Rams could do with bringing in a proven midfielder this summer.
Derby’s current central midfield options | Age | Championship appearances |
Lewis Travis | 28 | 270 |
Bobby Clark | 21 | 42 |
Oscar Fraulo | 22 | 19 |
Kenzo Goudmijn | 24 | 44 |
Owen Eames | 19 | 4 |
Derby open talks to sign Alex Mowatt
According to reporter John Percy, Derby are now in talks with West Brom regarding a deal for Mowatt, who they were close to signing in the 2025 summer transfer window.
The Rams are also interested in signing Southampton striker Brereton Diaz on a permanent basis, after he chipped in with seven goals and three assists in 40 Championship matches on loan last season.
Derby also keen on signing Philip Otele
Near the beginning of August, Derby also opened talks to sign FC Basel star Philip Otele, whose primary position is left-wing, although he is also capable of leading the line.
Basel are willing to offload Otele for just £4.3m, and he is set to leave the Swiss side one way or another, after spending the second half of the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Hamburg.
Unlike Brereton Diaz, the Nigerian is unproven in England, but he managed to get on the scoresheet twice in the Europa League last season, while also grabbing five goals and four assists in 20 league matches for Basel.
