Derby County apparently had an interest in Liam Millar during the summer transfer window, and the Canadian international is now flourishing on loan at divisional rivals Birmingham City.

According to BBC Sport, the Rams’ start to the Championship season has been far from ideal for John Eustace, with the club currently sitting in the relegation zone.

Derby concluded the 46-year-old’s first full season at Pride Park just outside the play-off places, avoiding an immediate return to League One on the last day of the 2024/25 season.

As a result, there were great hopes among supporters in this section of the East Midlands that their club would be able to maintain their upward trend this season and qualify for the expanded play-offs for the first time since 2019.

However, despite the fact that there are still 38 games to play, such optimism has faded as a result of Derby’s early-season results, performances, injury misfortune, and disappointing ownership news.

And it’s fair to assume that failing to get Millar’s services, given his rapid impact at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, will only lead to frustration.

Derby County failed to land Liam Millar loan deal ahead of Birmingham City.

As previously stated, there was hope that Derby would be able to showcase their goals during the summer window, but an expected acquisition by Saudi Arabian boxing tycoon Turki Alalshikh fell through.

Ten players were added to Eustace’s squad this summer, including a £10 million investment in permanent signings for Bobby Clark and David Ozoh, although others say that the squad is still lacking in depth.

The team was unable to get another reunion with Ben Brereton Diaz, who has since returned to another previous side, Sheffield United, from Southampton, while the aforementioned source suggests Millar emerged as a late-window target.

Birmingham, on the other hand, were able to sign the 27-year-old on loan from Hull City just days after he scored the winning goal for the Tigers against Coventry City in the Premier League, with Middlesbrough and Stoke City also reportedly interested in the Canadian international.

Liam Millar’s performance at Pride Park left Derby County with a strong sense of sorrow about his decision.

Chris Davies later claimed that he had watched Millar for long time before Birmingham were able to strike a loan deal with Hull, and just two games into his stint in the West Midlands, the Canadian reminded Eustace of why he would have liked his talents at Pride Park.

Millar, who had helped Carlos Vicente in a 2-1 loss against Norwich City, produced another goal for the Spaniard, as well as Paik Seung-ho, as the Blues recovered from behind to win 2-1 in DE24 on September 12th.

Liam Millar’s 2026/27 Championship Statistics

Appearances

4

Goals

1

Assists: 3.

Big Opportunities Created

3

Key Passes Per Game

1.8

Successful Dribbles per Game

1.5

Stats from Sofascore (correct as of 06/10/26).

The former Preston North End man then scored his first Birmingham goal in a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough last time out, and he will be hoping his good form continues after the international break.

Derby County will look at Birmingham City with envy following the transfer scenario.

It has also been revealed that Derby were interested in signing Birmingham’s Patrick Roberts this summer, but a stumbling block occurred in the form of the 29-year-old’s salary.

As a result, Eustace may be feeling envious of developments in the Midlands, as Birmingham lie on the edge of the early-season play-offs, where he had the club three years ago until Knighthead’s contentious decision to replace him with Wayne Rooney.

However, he will have to make due with the choices he currently has until January, when the Rams hope to have moved away from the table’s bottom tier.