Derby County centre back Curtis Nelson could be set for a January move away from Pride Park after a season of limited opportunities under John Eustace.
The 32-year-old’s contract with the Rams runs out at the end of the current season, but there is a growing possibility that he could be made available to potential suitors in the coming weeks. In quotes published by Derbyshire Live, Eustace spoke of the plethora of options he has available in defence right now, highlighting his difficulty in finding a place even on the substitutes’ bench for Nelson.
Despite a lack of competitive action, the former Cardiff City man is likely to attract plenty of interest from clubs throughout the EFL. He boasts an impressive wealth of experience and proven quality at Championship level, attributes that are currently being underutilised at the East Midlands-based club.
Here are five clubs from both the Championship and League One who should explore a move for Nelson in a bid to aid their cause during the business end of the season.
Bolton Wanderers
A strong finish to 2025 has seen Bolton Wanderers comfortably establish themselves in the League One play-off places. Steven Schumacher has prided his side’s fortunes on an impermeable defensive record, which has seen them concede just 22 league goals, a record only bettered by Stevenage.
The Trotters’ head coach has skilfully rotated his centre-back pairings this season, preserving freshness without sacrificing his side’s notable stability. The addition of Nelson to the mix at the Toughsheet Community Stadium would provide an alternative option that would complement the likes of Eoin Toal and George Johnston.
Plymouth Argyle
In a season of seemingly constant inconsistency at Home Park, Plymouth Argyle find themselves in the heat of the League One relegation battle. However, the prospect of a move for their former captain, Nelson, would at the very least provide a feeling of nostalgia for the Green Army.
More pressingly, though, the veteran’s 15 years of EFL defensive wisdom would add even more assurance to Argyle’s gradually improving backline. With Derek Adams, the manager who closely collaborated with Nelson at Argyle back in 2016, now back as Director of Football, a reunion could be more than just a possibility.
Oxford United
Another of Nelson’s former clubs, Oxford United, could be tempted by a swoop for his services in a bid to fight off the threat of impending relegation from the Championship.
Nelson made just shy of a century of appearances for the U’s in his three-season stint, and became a firm favourite at the Kassam Stadium. The defender‘s familiarity and organisation could help to solidify the U’s defence, enabling them to launch more sustained and risk-free attacks as they aim to climb out of trouble.
Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town’s triumphant festive run has firmly put them in the promotion picture in League One as they look to bounce back to the Championship at the second time of asking. The Terriers are currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run which has seen them move up to fourth in the table.
The Achilles heel for Lee Grant in his first season at the helm in West Yorkshire has been his team’s defensive fragility. Town have shipped more goals than any other team in the top half of the table so far, and their priority in this month’s transfer window is likely to be strengthen their options in the backline.
As the battle for play-off places intensifies, tightening up defensively could be the decisive factor in whether Huddersfield achieve their promotion aspirations or fall short.
Blackburn Rovers
Victories have been in desperately short supply for Blackburn Rovers in recent months. As such, they are placed in a perilous position in bottom half of the Championship.
Valerien Ismael has made no secret of his desire to sign centre-backs with proven second-tier experience this month. This has seen them linked with the likes of Stoke City’s Ben Gibson, whilst they have already brought in Eiran Cashin on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
In Nelson’s one recent appearance in the Championship, he produced a heroic display in a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City over Christmas, where he looked every bit the defender who has amassed nearly 500 EFL appearances. This may make him an attractive option for clubs such as Blackburn, who are looking to add experience and quality to their squad.