Derby County is poised to enter a major transfer war this summer, with at least seven Championship rivals circling the same Plymouth Argyle target.

The target in question is, of course, 24-year-old Swiss striker Lorent Tolaj, and it’s not hard to see why one-third of the second division has expressed interest in him already.

Leaving aside the final game of the season, Tolaj has 20 goals and seven assists across all competitions, helping Argyle back into the promotion race despite a disastrous start for Tom Cleverley’s team.

Derby County are reportedly interested in signing him, as he appears to be an ideal match for the team.’

Exciting’ Lorent Tolaj, Derby County claim

According to Football Insider, Derby County and Millwall have joined the list of clubs targeting Tolaj.

An earlier article from Voetbal Primeur mentioned Norwich City, Stoke City, and Swansea City, while Alan Nixon credited Sheffield United, Preston North End, and Leicester City with interest through his Patreon.

That brings the total number of Championship sides to seven, with Glasgow heavyweights Celtic and Belgian club Anderlecht also apparently keeping an eye on the striker’s position in Devon.

Shaun Woodward, FLW’s Rams Fan Pundit, supports the idea of Tolaj assisting Carlton Morris in leading the Derby line next season.”Yes, I’d be pleased with this signing,” Woodward stated. “I think it’s an exciting one, the guy is 24 I think, so very good age, he’s got his best years ahead of him.”He appears to have become a more consistent performer in the previous two or three seasons, scoring goals wherever he goes and advancing up the leagues.

To provide some perspective, Tolaj came through Brighton’s development system, which is often the first sign of a player with significant promise. He then had three disappointing loan periods at Cambridge United, Salford City, and Dundee FC, during which he did not score a single league goal.

Tolaj didn’t hit the ground running until he signed a one-year contract with National League club Aldershot Town, where he scored 25 goals before going on to Port Vale for one season.

Plymouth only used a £1.2 million release clause to bring him in from Vale last summer, and he is contracted until 2029, so any successful transfer bid may have to be eye-watering.

Even so, the Rams’ recruiting team has complete faith in Woodward…

Derby County’s recruitment squad backed to sign another gem, Lorent Tolaj

Woodward expressed satisfaction with Derby County’s decision to sign Lorent Tolaj from Plymouth Argyle, stating, “If our scouting team thinks he’s good enough for the Championship, I’m happy with that, because they haven’t got much wrong in the last year or so.”With [Patrick] Agyemang out for the season, we clearly need to strengthen those attacking positions. Also, we don’t know what will happen with [Sam] Szmodics, [Ben Brereton] Diaz, and [Rhian] Brewster, who is currently injured, and we might lose [Bobby] Clark as well.”

Everyone understands that Agyemang’s Achilles injury will create a significant hole at the top end of the pitch for Derby next season, as he is projected to be out for roughly nine months. The USA international was signed for a reported £5.8 million minus add-ons in July of last year, when Tolaj was the same age.

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Derby sees Tolaj as a “ideal” replacement for the American attacker, who had 10 goals and three assists in a black and white shirt before his injury.

Woodward finished his appraisal of Derby’s probable signing of Tolaj, saying, “We obviously need to bring bodies into the building. He not only supports Morris’ ideals, but also demonstrates innovation.Yeah, perhaps the player can come into the Championship and continue where he left off in Plymouth. I’d be really pleased with this signing.

John Eustace has previously stated that he wants to “expose Derby County as one of the top teams” and recruit “top Championship players” to Pride Park, and Tolaj appears to be the type of signing who may help the club become one of the best in the division.