Exclusive: Derby keen to sign loan star permanently, he could leave parent club this summer

Championship side Derby County are keen to sign loan star Bobby Clark on a permanent deal this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Rams are currently part of a queue of teams that are interested in taking the 21-year-old this summer, as an exit from Red Bull Salzburg could be on the cards.

The East Midlands outfit are aware that their chances of securing the midfielder long-term are likely to hinge on his price tag, after a season that saw him notch three goals and three assists in the Championship.

Clark’s own aspirations within the game are set to come into play when it comes to deciding his future, but Derby have hope that a permanent swoop may not be out of reach for them.

John Eustace’s side ultimately missed out on the Championship play-offs on the final day of the campaign, and they are keen to go one better in 2026-27.

Clark has been a key figure in Derby’s success this season, as he immediately came in and started 33 games for Eustace’s men in the league.

It has been a productive loan spell for the former Liverpool starlet, who quickly became a popular figure among the fans at Pride Park.

Debry have now been alerted to the possibility of him leaving Salzburg ahead of next season, with recent reports suggesting that the Austrian side may be ready to cash in on him for a cut-price fee.

Clark still has three years remaining on his deal with the Red Bull-backed outfit, but he has struggled to make an impact there since he joined from Liverpool in 2024.

His situation is set to attract plenty of potential suitors this summer, with Rangers already linked with a deal to take him north of the border, but Derby are not likely to give up without a fight.

Football Insider revealed at the end of April that Derby have joined the race for Lorent Tolaj this summer, with the Plymouth striker one of the EFL’s hottest properties at the moment.

The Swiss frontman moved to Argyle for just £1.2million last summer, but hit the ground running in Devon and ended the League One campaign with 17 goals and eight assists to his name.

The 24-year-old’s form has prompted interest from a whole host of Championship clubs in recent weeks, with Derby firmly in the mix for his signature, along with the likes of Millwall, Sheffield United and Preston.

Tolaj is also on the radar of both Celtic and Rangers, who have had success when taking stars from the EFL in the past.

Derby are looking for a replacement for Patrick Agyemang as he continues his recovery from a serious Achilles injury, and Tolaj could be the man for them this summer.

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