Derby County transfer claim branded 'fake news' as rumours swirl...

DerbyshireLive’s most recent Derby County news brings you the latest on a player who has supposedly been on the

Rams’ radar this summer.

Valerien Ismael, the manager of Blackburn, has refuted reports that Derby County and the full-back Callum Brittain

had reached an agreement on a £3 million transaction.

According to reports, Derby had won the battle for the highly sought-after full-back, whose future has been under

severe examination over the past two weeks due to competition from Middlesbrough.

As the Championship team struggles to hold onto the defender, suspicion is growing about Brittain, who participated

in Rovers’ 5-1 victory against Qatar SC yesterday night.

Given that Brittain is in the last year of his contract and has declined a new offer, Ismael has acknowledged that the

player can leave Ewood Park for the right price.

Speaking last night, however, the former West Brom manager insisted that no agreement has been reached with

Derby, citing the fact that Danny Batth and Andi Weimann had already moved to Pride Park.

According to the head coach, “Nothing has changed,” The Lancashire Telegraph reported.

“We read the information that’s been put out, but it’s all fake news. Nothing has changed so far.

“As long as you see Callum on the pitch, you can clearly see nothing has changed at the minute. He is a Blackburn

Rovers player and we want it to be that way.”

Ismael has not given up hope of Brittain remaining at Rovers, but risks losing him on a free transfer next summer if

he decides to see out his contract.

During his time in the north west, Eustace was a huge admirer of the defender and had once called the 27-year-old

one of the greatest in the Championship.

“If he has to leave, he will leave, but he will only leave if the price is right for the club,” Ismael stated.

We’re content with Callum, so even if it means waiting until the end of the season and taking the chance that he

leaves for nothing, we’ll do it. Within the club, we are clear.

“We made a strong offer to extend his contract and, at some point, maybe the thing can change.”

With 35 appearances in all competitions last season, Brittain was a mainstay at Ewood Park under Eustace.

As Rovers almost missed out on the top six, he scored twice in victories over Millwall and Portsmouth.

“He’s getting better and better and is really maturing into a top full-back in the league,” remarked Eustace, the

Rovers manager at the time, in reference to Brittain following his goal against Pompey. He is really talented, his

defensive skills are improving steadily, and he also has an amazing attitude.

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