Derby County currently find themselves in a frustrating run of form in the Championship, but could they be tempted to offload one of their players in order to find alternative options to ensure their second tier survival?
Paul Warne’s side had a positive start to the campaign, but have since lost four of their last five league matches and have failed to score in two of them.
This has left them in 18th place in the current Championship standings, sitting just four points above the relegation zone and have lost 50% of their league matches thus far.
However, with the January transfer window firmly underway, could Derby County use a League One bidding war to raise funds to spark their own survival bid.
According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Rotherham United and Leyton Orient are amongst a growing list of clubs that are currently considering a swoop for Derby County forward James Collins this month.
How has he fared this season?
Since arriving at Pride Park, the 34-year-old has struggled to establish himself as the clubs main striker and has since slipped to a squad role.
So far this season, Collins has made 19 appearances across all competitions for the Rams and has failed to contribute to a goal.
However, out of those 19 outings, only two of them have been starts as he’s found himself behind Jerry Yates in the pecking order.
Collins signed a new one-year deal in the summer, meaning he is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Which club is the better fit?
Both Rotherham and Leyton Orient find themselves at opposite ends of the League One standings and need the player for different reasons.
Steve Evans’ Rotherham United are currently 13th in the division and their most recent form has seen them climb further away from a relegation battle that they were at one stage being dragged into.
Meanwhile, Leyton Orient are eighth in the standings and sit just four points outside of the top six whilst having a game in-hand on some of the sides around them.
The Millers are only averaging a goal a game so far this season and their hopes of finishing in the top six are fading quickly, suggesting they are likely to be in more need of Collins.
Derby meanwhile have agreed a deal to sign Viking FC striker Jorgen Salvesen according to journalist John Percy which would path the way for Collins to leave.