Report: Warne is ‘keeping tabs’ on teenage starlet with a bright future for Derby County, he’ll cost £0

Derby County is closely monitoring a promising teenage talent as they kickstart their transfer activities ahead of the new season.

After achieving a historic promotion to the Championship, Derby County is facing the challenge of rebuilding their squad, with 12 first-team players seeing their contracts expire this summer. Manager Paul Warne is keen on adding both athleticism and quality to his roster.

One of their transfer targets is Rocco Friel, a promising young right-back currently playing for Hearts. The 17-year-old has attracted interest from several clubs, including Queens Park Rangers, Derby County, and Leicester City. Friel, who can also play as a right-sided midfielder, has impressed with his performances for Hearts’ B team this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists in 14 appearances.

Although QPR is reportedly in talks to sign Friel, Derby County and Leicester City are closely monitoring the situation, indicating their interest in securing the talented youngster’s services. With his versatility and potential, Friel could be an excellent long-term addition to Derby County’s squad.

Derby County’s interest in Rocco Friel stems from their pursuit of the talented youngster during the January transfer window. While a move from Hearts didn’t materialize at that time, Derby’s interest in Friel remains strong.

With the EFL restrictions no longer limiting their transfer activities, Derby County manager Paul Warne is now in a position to attract the youngster to Pride Park. Friel’s impressive performances in the lowland leagues, Scotland’s fifth tier, have caught Derby’s attention, and the prospect of playing in the Championship could be enticing for the teenage sensation.

If Friel joins Derby, he would likely slot into the under-21s squad while providing a long-term option for their right side. Capable of playing as a right-back or right-winger, Friel’s versatility would be an asset for Derby County.

Given Ryan Nyambe’s injury, Derby has had to rely on Kane Wilson or Joe Ward at right-back, both of whom prefer to play further forward. Friel’s addition would not only provide long-term security for Derby but also the opportunity to develop him into a future star, a strategy that has proven successful for the club in the past.

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