Derby County struggled in the striker position last season, with James Collins, Martyn Waghorn, Conor Washington, Tyreece John-Jules, and Dwight Gayle all injured.
The Rams attempted to sign both Lee Gregory and Michael Smith from Sheffield Wednesday before landing Gayle on a free transfer.
It did not prevent them from being promoted to the Championship, but they will need to strengthen their ranks once more to avoid a rapid return to the third tier.
With three of their forwards out of contract, Paul Warne is apparently looking back to League One to find their new No.9.
According to the Sunday Mirror (page 62), Derby could make a summer approach for Charlton Athletic forward Alfie May.
Stoke City and Gillingham, both from League Two, have expressed interest in the ‘fantastic’ attacker.
May has dominated League One in recent years, scoring 43 goals in 85 games for Cheltenham Town.
The 30-year-old then joined Charlton in the summer and has continued to impress, netting 27 goals in all competitions.
He also concluded the season as League One’s top scorer, winning EFL Player of the Year at the 2024 London Football Awards and being named to the EFL League One Team of the Season.
May’s contract is slated to end next summer, so he could be available before entering the final year of his contract, but the source also states that the striker wants to continue at The Valley.
While May has been a huge success in League One, he has yet to compete in the Championship.
He is also approaching his 31st birthday, joining a number of Rams attackers who are already in their 30s.
It could be a bold move for Derby, and it could be worthwhile if he isn’t too expensive, but he could be a player who struggles to make the step up a tier.
Gayle was one player who had a significant beneficial impact on Warne’s side after his late arrival, but he flopped at Stoke City.
The Midlands club requires players with experience and determination to compete in such a competitive division.
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