"It's a shame" - Derby County reaction issued with Middlesbrough set to win transfer race | OneFootball

FLW's Derby fan pundit reacts as the Rams look set to miss out on Callum Brittain

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Middlesbrough look to be on the verge of beating Derby County to the transfer of Callum Brittain.

Pete O'Rourke reported that Rob Edwards' side are close to agreeing a £3.5 million package with Rovers for the 27-year-old right-back, which will frustrate Derby fans.

Brittain was one of the many players who excelled under current Rams boss John Eustace, who departed Ewood Park in favour of a move to Derby in February, despite Blackburn residing inside the top six.

Derby have already secured the signings of three former Blackburn players, too, with Danny Batth, Andy Weimann, and loanee Owen Beck making the switch to Pride Park this summer to reunite with their former manager. However, it doesn't look like Brittain will follow suit.

Shaun Woodward, FLW's Derby fan pundit, feels frustrated that his club weren't able to secure the services of a quality Championship-standard full-back in Brittain, but does believe that the price tag placed on him was "a bit steep" in the first place.

Derby County fan pundit reacts to Callum Brittain, Middlesbrough transfer advances

"As I've said before, I really wanted us to get Callum Brittain," Woodward told Football League World.

"He'd have completed our backline, and he's the kind of player we really wanted to get in; solid at this level, experienced, played many games and still a good age.

"Him and Beck would have completed our backline."

Last season, Brittain was one of the best creative full-backs in the Championship. The 27-year-old's five assists placed him in the top 5% of right-backs in the division, and he created 45 chances alongside completing 34 successful crosses, according to Fotmob.

"It's a shame we're going to miss out on him," Woodward continued. "However, saying that, £3.5 million is probably a bit steep, and I think there are probably others out there who are either cheaper or available on loan who we can get."

Eustace was able to welcome back Joe Ward and Ryan Nyambe to the squad in their midweek pre-season friendly against Solihull Moors, which will bolster their depth on the right side.

"It was good to see Ward and Nyambe back," he added. "We are starting to get a few players back who will give us options at right-back or right wing-back. Neither is as good an option as Brittain, nor as versatile, but both can do a job - Nyambe more defensively and Ward more as a wing-back.

"It is a shame to lose out to Middlesbrough for Brittain, though, but for him, £3.5 million does seem a bit steep.

"There'll be others out there who we can be looking at to come in and give some competition on the right side, as it is a position we do need to strengthen, given the injuries we have."

Derby County need a new right-back, will be frustrated to miss out on Callum Brittain

Given Kane Wilson's issues with injuries throughout the 2024/25 season, competition in the right-back position will have been an important part of Eustace and Derby's transfer plans this summer, but it seems that one of their main targets has evaded them.

In Brittain, the Rams would have been bringing in someone who, whilst perhaps not the best in the league in defence, is a solid operator going forward. And with Derby looking to build on their 48 goals scored in their first season back in the Championship last term, the 27-year-old would have been an ideal signing.

Not to mention that Brittain would have arrived having known the manager's philosophies and strategies, so it wouldn't have been difficult for him to settle in.

However, it looks like Derby will need to focus their attention elsewhere, and whilst there's still a month remaining in the transfer window, getting a right-back in before their season opener against Stoke City on August 9 will be the perfect scenario.