Derby County and Stockport County in transfer race to sign 22-year-old | OneFootball

Both clubs want to add to their defensive unit this summer.

Derby County and Stockport County are both reportedly interested in Cheltenham Town right-back Arkell Jude-Boyd.

The 22-year-old full-back hasn't long been playing EFL football and yet, according to The Mirror, the two County's are after the Saint Lucia international.

A former Queens Park Rangers academy member, Jude-Boyd made his debut in the English football league this season for Cheltenham and went on to make 34 League Two appearances before the close of the 2024/25 campaign, last month.

The six-foot defender registered six combined goals and assists and is one of a number of Town players that clubs from higher divisions will look to acquire this summer. Cheltenham have reportedly turned down a bid from an unnamed League One outfit for winger Ethon Archer.

Derby & Stockport interest in Arkell Jude-Boyd revealed

The Mirror (09:38) have stated that Derby and Stockport are both keen on doing a deal for Arkell-Boyd this summer. Right-back is clearly a position that the Rams are looking to target as they have also been linked with Hull City's Cody Drameh, who may be available for £1 million. The ex-Leeds United player is also wanted by Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End, though.

Football League World also exclusively reported that John Eustace was looking to bring two of his former players - Danny Batth and Andi Weimann - over from Ewood Park to Pride Park this summer.

Arkell-Boyd will have less than a year left on his current deal when the new season starts and so Cheltenham are "braced for further interest" in the defender. They turned down a bid for him in January from Peterborough United, as per The Mirror.

One of Stockport's more traditional right-back options, Kyle Knoyle, is set to leave the club this summer when his contract expires. The Hatters missed out on a shot at promotion to the Championship by losing on penalties to Leyton Orient in the play-off semi-final, but they are expected to compete at the top end of the third tier once again.

Cheltenham aren't in a strong position to hold onto Arkell Jude-Boyd

Because of the player's contract situation, it's going to be hard for Michael Flynn's side to look away from enticing offers that may come their way for the 22-year-old this summer.

A club like Cheltenham doesn't have vast resources to work with, so selling players will be a key part of generating revenue for them. In a situation like this, where they risk losing Jude-Boyd for nothing in a year's time, they may be forced into parting ways with the ex-QPR youngster.