Derby County will be aiming to secure another top eight finish in the Championship in 2026/27, just like last season. John Eustace's side finished eighth in 2025/26, four points adrift of the play-off places, but the competition is now expanding to include two more teams. The Rams have already added Bobby Clark to the squad on a permanent basis following his loan spell last season. But their other transfer business includes the arrivals of Charlie Taylor and Filip Bilbija, who both joined as free agents. The Championship side have until 1 September to complete any remaining transfers, but it remains to be seen how much the club have available to spend. It's also been reported by the Telegraph that Turki Alalshikh is closing in on an investment into Derby, which could impact their plans for the final weeks of the window.

What happened? When asked how he feels about the latest links to investment from Alalshikh, FLW's Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward claimed that he's still sceptical about a deal going through because it's been rumoured a number of times before without going anywhere. However, he's ultimately okay with whatever decision owner David Clowes comes to, as he trusts the chairman to make the right decision for the future of the club, even if more investment is needed. "They're exciting times, but also I'm a little bit sceptical," Woodward told Football League World. "This has been going on for a long time now, and I'll believe it when I see it. "We definitely do need some investment, if we want to push on and try and compete with the top teams in the league and get into the Premier League. "That said, it doesn't guarantee you that you're going to get success just because someone comes in with more money. "You've still got to be careful how you spend it, and as we've learned the hard way chucking money at it doesn't always work. "So, it wouldn't be the end of the world if it doesn't go through and David Clowes stays in charge, and does things sensibly and sustainably because it's worked over the last couple of seasons.

Why it matters for Derby County Woodward is keen for Derby to avoid a similar situation to the one they endured under previous owner Mel Morris where they ended up in administration, so would be fine for everything to stay as it is under Clowes. "I fully trust David Clowes though, and if he feels this investment helps move the club forward then I'm all for it," he continued. "However, if he doesn't feel it's right and it doesn't happen then, again, I'm more than happy to see David Clowes stay at the top and continue to grow the club sensibly.

What comes next? Derby went into administration during 2021/22, and were eventually taken over by Clowes in the summer of 2022. The local businessman has overseen the club's return to the Championship, with Paul Warne guiding the Rams to promotion in 2024. Derby finished 19th in their first season back in the second division before coming eighth under Eustace in 2025/26. And now they could be set for fresh investment from Alalshikh, although it remains to be seen what the cost of any takeover deal will cost. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 8th in Championship, 69 pts, 20W-9D-17L from 46 games, recent form LWLWL. Goals this season: 67 scored, 59 conceded (+8 goal difference). Title race: 26 points behind leaders Coventry.