Derby County are set to miss out on the signing of highly rated young forward Chris Condy after Brighton and Hove Albion reached an agreement with Rangers.
Condy, 16, has been sensational at youth level for Rangers, scoring over 20 goals for their academy side this season.
His prolific form attracted interest from several clubs, including Derby and Fulham, with the teenager linked to the Rams during the January transfer window.
Despite making an offer to Rangers, Derby were unable to secure the move, with Brighton’s Premier League pathway proving a more enticing prospect for the young forward.
Rangers had signed Condy from Hamilton Academical over the summer on a one-year deal, leaving the door open for Brighton to swoop in.
While missing out on the forward is a disappointment, the club can take some consolation in the fact that Condy’s potential was recognised by top clubs, and the Rams will hope to continue identifying promising talent in future transfer windows.
Despite this setback, Derby remain firmly in contention for a top-six finish a feat they haven’t achieved at this level since Frank Lampard’s side in the 2018/19 season.
Under John Eustace, the Rams have made significant strides over the past 12 months. The 46-year-old celebrated his one-year anniversary at Pride Park in February, having taken over from Paul Warne.
In his first season, Derby narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 19th in the Championship, just one point clear of the bottom three.
This season, the team’s improvement is clear. Derby currently sit eighth in the table, just six points off the play-off places, with 11 games remaining.
A busy summer of transfer activity, backed by owner David Clowes, allowed Eustace to shape the squad to his vision, and the progress has been evident on the pitch.
Next up for Derby is a home clash against Sheffield Wednesday on 7 March, with a 3pm kick-off.
The Rams will be hoping to continue their push up the table and prove that, despite missing out on Condy, they remain a club capable of competing for promotion back to the Premier League 18 years after their last appearance in the top flight.
