Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round - Norwich City v Portsmouth - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - January 5, 2019 Portsmouth's Ronan Curtis reacts after missing a chance to score Action Images/Alan Walter
Derby County are keen on signing Portsmouth forward Ronan Curtis this summer, but they face competition from a host of Championship clubs.
The Lowdown: Rooney eyes up reinforcements
The Rams managed to stay in the league by the skin of their teeth this season following a dramatic final day which saw Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United and Wycombe Wanderers relegated instead.
Wayne Rooney now has the job of rebuilding his squad, ensuring that they look towards the play-off places moving forward.
[freshpress-poll id=”358792″]
The Latest: Curtis linked with move
One player who has been linked with a move to Pride Park is Curtis, with the Derby Telegraph reporting that the Portsmouth winger is a summer target.
The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been one of Pompey’s best players in recent years, scoring 14 goals and registering 10 assists in all competitions last season.
Cardiff City, Reading and Blackburn Rovers are all claimed to be showing an interest in him too, which suggests that there will be a battle for his signature in the coming weeks and months.
[freshpress-poll id=”358312″]
The Verdict: Potential shrewd addition
Portsmouth will desperately want to keep hold of Curtis, but the lure of playing in a higher division could be too much for him to turn down.
The Irishman possesses technical quality and unpredictability, a little in the mould of Jack Grealish, and he has been hailed as ‘excellent’ by his former international boss Martin O’Neill in the past.
Derby should try hard to get their man, with Curtis having the potential to bring freshness and creativity to the Rams’ attack.
In other news, a journalist is ‘still waiting to hear’ about the future of one Derby player. Find out who it is here.
About the Author
