Derby County handed key boost in pursuit of Danish midfielder | OneFootball

The Rams are nearing a deal for Borussia Monchengladbach's Oscar Fraulo, with his loan at FC Utrecht set to be terminated.

Oscar Fraulo is set to be recalled by Borussia Mönchengladbach from FC Utrecht as Derby County close in on a move for the 21-year-old.

That's according to Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad, with the Rams looking to take over the loan-to-buy agreement that the Eredivisie side currently have.

Paul Warne is in desperate need of recruits at Pride Park with injuries hitting his squad hard, while the relegation picture has taken a turn for the worst with the East Midlands side just a point above the drop zone in 20th.

Derby lost their fifth Championship game in a row on Tuesday evening, as Sunderland took all three points in a 1-0 win in DE24. However, supporters will be encouraged by a much better second half performance.

Derby County close in on move for Oscar Fraulo

It was first revealed by Soccer News Netherlands on Monday that the Rams had the midfielder on their radar, but they have now stepped up their interest with Mönchengladbach set to recall him from his loan.

Fraulo has played just 12 times for Utrecht this season in the league, with his last appearance coming before Christmas. He has spent the last two years playing for the Domstedelingen, but the 2024/25 campaign has been difficult for him with game time coming less consistently.

As per reports, it seems unlikely that the 21-year-old will play again in the Netherlands this season, and Derby are looking to take over the loan-to-buy agreement that the two clubs originally had in place.

Warne has made no secret about just how much he believes his side needs improving, and Fraulo could be his second signing of January, and his fourth European addition of the campaign, following in the footsteps of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Kenzo Goudmijn and most recently, Lars-Jorgen Salvesen.

Paul Warne will feel the pressure despite backing

It's been a season of two halves for Derby, and they are now on a run of just four wins in 24 Championship games.

Their last victory came on Boxing Day as they ran out 2-1 winners at home to West Bromwich Albion, and five defeats in a row have left them floundering just above the drop zone.

They make the trip to South Wales on Saturday to face Cardiff City, who have taken four points in their last two games, including a 3-0 win over Swansea City at the weekend, with the knowledge that they must win on the road for just the second time this season to avoid the possibility of dropping into the bottom three for the first time in 2024/25.

Warne has been backed to stay on as manager at Pride Park, and he will be hoping to see a performance closer to that of his side's second-half showing against Sunderland, and if they do so, they may just stop the rut they are now in.

Signings will help, and Fraulo coming through the door in the coming days will only boost the morale of supporters and the team as they continue their battle against relegation.