Former Blues striker Martyn Waghorn is reportedly a Town summer target with the 31-year-old’s Derby contract up at the end of the campaign.

Waghorn left Town for the Rams in the summer of 2018 for a fee of £5 million rising to £7.5 million, signing a three-year deal.

Football League World is reporting that Town are weighing up a summer return move for the former Sunderland and Leicester man.

Waghorn was hugely popular in his one season with the Blues, netting 16 goals in 39 starts and seven sub appearances, the Blues having signed for a bargain £200,000 from Rangers in August 2017.

Town boss Paul Cook is set to make wholesale changes to his squad in the summer and it seems likely that free agents currently with Championship clubs will come into his thoughts, although with his ability to recruit at that level hampered by League One’s SCMP Financial Fair Play rules.

The former England U21 international striker is likely to attract attention from plenty of clubs and may still be wanted at Pride Park with manager Wayne Rooney having said a decision on his future and that of other players will be made at the end of the season.

Waghorn will hope to prevent the 21st-placed Rams from joining the Blues in League One on Saturday when they host Sheffield Wednesday, who are 23rd, in their final game of the season.

The South Shields-born frontman has scored three times in 20 starts and 11 sub appearances for Derby during 2020/21.

Photo: Matchday Images

Essexnblue added 16:50 - May 5 I would bring him back, Derby paid decent money for him for a reason. He scores from all areas and can take a free kick, age is not a barrier and in this league with good recruitment, he would rip it up. His wife is still active with a local charity, so I guess that this is also another reason as to why he may be linked.
5

brendenward35 added 17:01 - May 5 Think this is just players agents talking drum up interest in their clients.
3

jas0999 added 17:09 - May 5 Backwards step. Time to move forward.
3

multiplescoregasms added 17:11 - May 5 Would rather hear about who they are targeting in the attacking and creative midfield side of things. Saying that, a decent midfield providing the chances for Norwood and Waghorn wouldn't be the worst thing.
0

KernewekBlue added 17:21 - May 5 A better all-round player than the current incumbents. Would certainly prefer to have Waghorn playing up top for us rather than Jackson or Norwood. League 1 is what it is and Waghorn could certainly stand out in a crowd in this division. And yes, to concur with another comment here, I'd take Tom Lawrence back in a heartbeat... sign 'em both NOW!
9

johnwarksshorts added 17:31 - May 5 We're gonna be linked with alot of players, but they have to be right for us and fit the new recruitment criteria.
3

BurleysGloryDays added 17:31 - May 5 Superb footballer. So strong, somehow still technical and has a class we have not had in the side since he left. Was brilliant at ITFC and as others have pointed out, him leaving was among the reasons we were relegated. He would bully defences in League 1 and definitely play a role in a new strike force. Only slight concern is whether he's up for the challenge. He's a fun guy, a funster. Cook is a serious guy wanting winners who are angry when we get beaten. It might not be the most logical cultural fit. But if it could be made to work, my god we should take him back in a heartbeat. Nonsense about 'he's not the future' - sorry guys, we are not in that transfer market. Simple as that. Way richer clubs with better salaries on offer. Being realistic, we'd probably need Waggy to come back because he cares about the club... it wouldn't be for cash.

10

blueboy1981 added 17:32 - May 5 Thanks but NO thanks - we need to move forward, this would be a backward step , he's had a very poor season and way past his best. The Bar needs to be set higher in terms of recruitment - but what and who could we attract to Division 3 ? - is the real world of thinking, and possibilities.
1

cornishnick added 17:49 - May 5 Wouldn't read too much into this. “Source exclusively told” usually means story made up. Lazy journalism and total click bait
-1

Monkey_Blue added 17:54 - May 5 Can't see it. It's still also a fact that we have to live within the FFP rules and he went to Derby as most employees would if offered 3X's their wages. Suspect he will be out of our price range.
0

BettyBlue added 17:57 - May 5 Paul Hurst all over again. Bringing in his buddies from old clubs. Haven't any of our managers got any originality??
-3

Skip73 added 18:00 - May 5 Why are so many people against this? He would be a top player in League One. I'd have him back like a shot!
8

casanovacrow added 18:05 - May 5 Smells like the usual lazy scouting if this is true
-2

TractorBeezer added 18:11 - May 5 Yes please ........if he passes fitness tests.
0

NickITFC added 18:24 - May 5 I cannot believe any Town fan wouldn't like this. He was just about the best player at the club in the time he was here! So what he hasn't been as free scoring in a rubbish Derby side. Anyone that wouldn't take him over our current forward lot seriously needs their bonce checking!!!!
6

head1970 added 18:42 - May 5 No chance!we need to go forward recruit a 31 year old who if things go wrong will be playing in Div 1 anyway and at that age likely to get a injury not for me he had his chance we want high class championship players
0

chepstowblue added 18:46 - May 5 Are people suggesting that because we have a few quid now we could do better?! Ability,experience,and a brain, and a step up in class to anybody that we've had in the last 5yrs. It'll upset many, but until we prove ourselves he could do a damn sight better than us.
3

PutneyBlue added 18:49 - May 5 I think it seems best to bring back in all the ones that we miss most. So it's Cooper, Burley, Mills, Wark, etc etc Whymark, Mariner.
-2

Skip73 added 19:00 - May 5 I understand why people are calling for good quality championship players, but the fact is, we are a mid table Leaugue One side, and not many, if any will come to League One. Waghorn fits the bill for next season. When we finally get back to the Championship we sign high quality Championship players then.
4

Skip73 added 19:02 - May 5 Betty, when did Cook manage Waghorn, I don't believe they're mates.
2

TractorRoyNo1 added 19:03 - May 5 Yes yes and more yes, and get his mate Joe back from Greece as well.
-2

ArnieM added 19:05 - May 5 Suspect very professional footballers agents will be contacting ITFC with the knowledge that the club finally has some money to spend. Good job were now using that stats based recruitment strategy
3

RobsonWark added 19:05 - May 5 No! We need to go forwards and find new heroes. Lets not bring back old players to play for us..
0

dieselmorris added 19:14 - May 5 wasn't judge,hughes,and a few others going to be head and shoulders above league one players.there will be plenty of championship players looking for clubs.
2

superblues9 added 19:15 - May 5 Wickham and waghorn upfront next season !😀
0

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