Derby County had a largely successful summer transfer window but struggled to strengthen in one key position.
In a bid to avoid a relegation battle following their promotion from League One, Paul Warne made a staggering 12 additions during the most recent window.
Several of those players have already shone for the Rams in the current campaign, with goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom named in the Championship Team of the Week, following his display in the win over Cardiff City on Saturday.
Derby County have now managed to keep three clean sheets on the spin while playing at Pride Park in the league this season.
A number of names were linked with a move to Derbyshire, with Derby showing late interest in Watford’s Mileta Rajovic.
Elsewhere, after previous links in 2023, Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi was linked to Warne’s side over the summer.
Ali Al-Hamadi will have Derby County transfer regret
After excelling with AFC Wimbledon where he was dubbed ‘brilliant’ by manager Johnnie Jackson, as per Limerick Live, Al-Hamadi joined Ipswich in January 2024 for just over £1m, as per Transfermarkt.
The 22-year-old was a key figure for the Tractor Boys in the second half of their promotion-winning campaign, scoring four and assisting one in 14 Championship appearances.
However, despite only signing him this year, Kieran Mckenna was willing to let the striker leave this summer.
But after no move transpired, Al-Hamadi will probably regret staying at Ipswich instead of moving to Derby.
The forward has fallen down the pecking order at Portman Road in the 2024/25 campaign.
So far, he has garnered just 32 minutes of action across three Premier League appearances.
While playing in the top flight is a dream for most players, the centre-forward should be aware he would be seeing a lot more action had he instead moved to Pride Park over the summer.
Paul Warne can reignite Ali Al-Hamadi interest in January transfer window
Despite missing out on another striker this summer, Derby have had a great start to the season.
The Rams sit eighth in the Championship table after five games, just outside the play-off places via goal difference.
However, it remains clear that Jerry Yates cannot lead the line by himself and Derby will no doubt be in the market for a new striker come January.
Yates missed the start of the campaign due to suspension but is still yet to open his account for his new side in four appearances.
And as Al-Hamadi looks set to be a fringe player for Ipswich in the first half of 2024/25, Warne should be looking to reignite his interest in the number nine next year.
The Iraq international is a proven Championship goalscorer and his lack of importance to Ipswich right now means he will probably be available for a cut-price fee come the open of the winter window.