"This may sound like sour grapes" - Derby County reaction given to QPR, Koki Saito blow | OneFootball

Derby County may have dodged a bullet as their transfer target Koki Saito joins QPR for £3.2m

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...

Our Derby County fan pundit was unbothered after missing out on transfer target Koki Saito to QPR.

After a summer filled with transfer speculation for Japanese international Saito, the tricky winger has made the move back to Loftus Road where he spent loan season on loan with QPR. The 24-year-old, prior to the completion of his permanent deal to West London, was heavily linked with a move to the Championship with Derby County and Birmingham City among the list, before deciding on a return to QPR.

Saito made 39 league appearances for the Hoops last season, and despite impressive performances by being a constant threat on the left-wing, his attacking output was underwhelming, as he managed to find the net three times and provide two assists.

As for Derby, their search for attacking reinforcements goes on. The Rams have been linked with ex-Brentford man, Sergi Canos, as well as Chesterfield's Armando Dobra, but there has been no movement as of yet.

With time running out to do business, Derby may regret letting the signing of Saito pass by if they fail to bring in a much-needed winger before the deadline.

Derby County pundit understands Koki Saito's transfer decision in favour of QPR

With the signing of Saito off the table for the Rams, they now turn their attention to other options. Football League World's Derby County fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, isn't fussed about missing out on the Japanese winger and believes there are better options on the market.

Woodward said: "This may sound like sour grapes, but genuinely I'm not that fussed that we didn't get to sign him."

"Once QPR were in for him [Saito], he was always likely to go there because he played for them last season. So he knows the place, he knows the setup, so I totally get why he would go there above us [Derby]."

Woodward went on to say: "I think £3.2m for a guy that scored three goals last season in the Championship is a lot of money. It's a big risk for someone who hasn't really set the world alight. So, like I say, it may sound like sour grapes but, no, I think there is better out there."

Derby County remain confident that John Eustace will get the winger he wants

With time quickly running out until the transfer deadline on 1st September. John Eustace's priority must be to bring in attacking reinforcements.

Derby's attack has been ever-changing in the opening stages of the season, with their new star man Carlton Morris being the only constant, as he has hit the ground running with three goals in three games.

Injuries have been a major cause for concern for the Rams as Corey Blackett-Taylor remains sidelined after picking up a knock in their opening day defeat to Stoke City.

Blackett-Taylor's injury has stressed the importance of Eustace to bring a couple more bodies in the door at Pride Park. However, Woodward remains patient and hopeful that the Derby boss will get his desired target: "I trust John Eustace. I think if he had wanted him, he would have got him. So the fact that he has gone to QPR, I wish him all the best, but I think we've probably dodged a bullet there.