Derby County have become a banter club this season and their decision not to sell Festy Ebosele to Nottingham Forest looks foolish.
The Reds were desperate to take advantage of Derby’s plight during the January transfer window by moving for the defender.
Derby stood firm. Despite being in administration, the club opted to reject £500,000 in the way of a transfer fee from Forest.
Now, the Rams have been powerless to prevent Ebosele from agreeing on terms over a transfer to Udinese in the summer.
The player has signed a five-year contract with the Serie A outfit and Derby will be due a small amount of compensation.
Forest had been keen to strengthen their ranks with the addition of Ebosele who looks a bright prospect.
The Reds may find themselves in need of a right-back next season and he can typically play anywhere down that side of the pitch.
Djed Spence will head back to Middlesbrough during the summer, leaving Richie Laryea as the one right-back in the squad.
Ebosele has grown as a player under Wayne Rooney. He has made 36 appearances for the Rams first-team, scoring twice and claiming two assists.
Derby man Ebosele would have been ideal for Forest
The Republic of Ireland under-21 international didn’t have the best of East Midland-derby performances in January.
He touched the ball just 12 times and was arguably the worst player on the pitch from a Derby perspective.
There is a talented player in there though. At 19-years-old he ticks a lot of boxes for the sort of signing that Dane Murphy and Steve Cooper like to make.
Ebosele is absolutely rapid and works tirelessly at both ends of the pitch.
Udinese look to have got themselves a gem and it’s perhaps somewhat disappointing that Forest couldn’t tempt Derby into a sale in January.
The exodus looks set to continue for the Rams in the coming months.