Derby County: Paul Warne offers Ebou Adams, Cardiff City response after Erol Bulut comments | OneFootball

Derby County are chasing the signature of Ebou Adams from Cardiff City this summer

Derby County manager Paul Warne has remained coy over the Rams' pursuit of Cardiff City midfielder Ebou Adams despite Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut recently suggesting that a deal was close.

According to Dominic Dietrich on Twitter, the Rams’ boss has claimed that they want to sign a midfielder in the mould of the 28-year-old this summer.

Adams spent the second half of last season on loan with Warne’s side, having struggled for game time with the Bluebirds.

He featured 17 times in League One, as Derby earned promotion to the Championship with a second-place finish (all stats from Fbref).

Derby supporters before returning to Cardiff at the end of the campaign.

Ebou Adams transfer latest

Warne issued a coy response when asked about the possibility of signing Adams, claiming he was a Cardiff player.

Bulut has previously confirmed that the Championship club has received an offer for Adams.

However, he confirmed that no deal has yet been finalised between the two sides, meaning he remains with the Welsh outfit for the time being.

"As far as I know we got an offer from Derby County but nothing is finalised, so until that moment, Ebou Adams is still a Cardiff City player," said Bulut, via the BBC.

"We didn't want to risk him [against Kidderminster] because we are close [to a deal] but in football you never know.

“Things may not get done and today we didn't use him but tomorrow is another day, we never know.”

However, Warne has offered a coy appraisal of the situation since, telling Dietrich that the Rams need an "Ebou type" in midfield but suggesting he was not aware of a fee being agreed with Cardiff for the player.

It remains to be seen whether an agreement can be reached between the two sides, but Adams’ contract situation may play into Derby’s hands.

The Gambia international has just 12 months remaining on his current deal, meaning Cardiff may opt to cash in now in order to avoid losing him for nothing in 2025.

Derby County’s summer business

Warne will be looking to build a team capable of competing in the Championship next season, after guiding the club to promotion at the second attempt.

The Rams have been active in the summer transfer market, already adding a number of names to the first team squad.

Derby have signed Kenzo Goudmijn, Ben Osborn, Corey Taylor-Blackett, Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates so far.

The Championship side have until 30 August to complete any remaining deals before the market shuts for the remainder of the calendar year.

Adams deal makes sense for all parties

Cardiff shouldn’t be dragging their heels on any potential deal, as it’s a move that makes far too much sense for all parties.

Adams has been unable to make much of an impact with Bulut’s side, but thrived under Warne in League One.

Given he has just one year remaining on his contract, a permanent move to Pride Park would be the best next step for the player’s career.

This is a sensible transfer, and would see Adams move to a club where he would be a far more important part of the first team squad next season, while Cardiff can recoup some of the cost of his initial move from Forest Green Rovers.