Wayne Rooney has issued a defiant stance regarding Forest target Lee Buchanan. Whilst the take is admirable, the Reds could be about to rain on Rooney’s parade.
Forest have been linked with the left-back. The club’s latest bid is thought to be in the region of £2 million, according to Alan Nixon of The Sun.
Buchanan was in the Rams team for yesterday’s friendly against Salford City. The defender was withdrawn at half-time as Derby were beaten 2-1.
After the game, Rooney was quizzed on two of his players. Buchanan and Nathan Byrne have both been linked with moves, but the boss was defiant.
He told the club’s official website: “None of my players are going anywhere. Obviously, we haven’t got enough players as it is.
“The way we are trying to play, they (Byrne and Buchanan) are the two most important players on the pitch.”
Could Forest ruin Rooney’s plans?
Rooney’s take on the interest in Buchanan is admirable. His defiance could be somewhat naive though and he could be powerless.
Derby are in a perilous position with their finances. They are still in the dock with the EFL and must resubmit their accounts from the last three years in a few weeks.
With that in mind, Buchanan will definitely have a valuation. The question that remains unanswered is whether or not Forest will match Derby’s expectations.
The 20-year-old from Mansfield has just a year to run on his Rams deal. Keeping him at the moment when it’s unlikely he’ll be offered a new deal doesn’t seem to make much sense.
If Forest are willing to offer Derby some money for him now, they could avoid receiving nothing more than compensation should he walk away next summer.
Rooney is learning all the time in management. Last season he saw his team survive relegation on the final day of the season.
With Buchanan being eyed by Forest, Rooney might currently be fighting a battle that he simply can’t win this time.
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