Paul Warne makes "free list" transfer admission as Derby County look to strengthen squad

Derby County know all too well that to succeed in the Championship, you have to spend your money wisely.

With a number of older and out of contract players, the Rams will need to recruit effectivley if they are to become a stable Championship side again.

However, under David Clowes, Derby won’t want to make the same mistakes as the former owners who spend well beyond their means which led to Derby’s time in administration and relegation to League One.

Paul Warne is more than aware of the challenges that he faces ahead, speaking to Derbyshire Live about the transfer window, he said: “We've had recruitment meetings since January.

“For the last few weeks - to be fair, I've bullied it, really and said don't recruit for League One, try and recruit for the Champ and if we don't go up automatically, we'll have a two week window to rejig the list.”

The Rams will more likely look to add players through free agent signings or loan deals to help with saving the amount they are spending.

However, significant investment in certain positions is not out of the question. He has already begun looking for his newest additions.

Warne added: "We have to look at the free list, really, which everyone else will look at, but the Championship one isn't out until the end of the month.

“There are games in Holland that me and my staff are going to, there's a game in Denmark that we're going to, to watch these certain players. I met a player yesterday, and I'm meeting another player either today or next week."

It won’t be too long until the Derby boss brings in some new faces for what will be a completely different challenge in the Championship next season.