Derby County news from DerbyshireLive brings you the latest with the transfer window now open for business
17:00, 09 Jan 2026
Curtis Nelson is on Paul Warne's wanted list as MK Dons target a move for the Derby County defender.
Having just completed the signings of Ben Wiles and Jay Matete from Huddersfield and Sunderland respectively, the League Two side have made an impressive start to their January business.
But Warne, who signed Kane Wilson and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing from Derby, is also keen on bolstering his defence with Nelson among his targets as he looks to clinch promotion this season.
Speculation over Nelson's future has increased over the last week with the centre-back having not been involved in the last two games at Derby.
Plymouth have already been linked with Nelson and should a firm offer come Derby's way, they may well consider his departure.
Oscar Fraulo's arrival from Borussia Monchengladbach has left Derby with a squad of 26 players with only 25 being able to be registered with the EFL.
And if Derby are to add to their squad themselves, then departures will have to be a necessity.
Nelson has been an excellent servant to Derby, having signed under Warne on a free transfer from Cardiff City in the 2023/24 promotion-winning season.
He formed an excellent partnership with Eiran Cashin in the heart of the defence that proved pivotal to their return to the Championship as Derby finished second in the table.
Nelson then started regularly in the Championship, but he suffered an ACL injury in the club's first season back in the second tier.
He returned this season and produced an excellent performance in the 1-1 draw at Birmingham City where Derby were reduced to 10 men following Joe Ward's red card.
With Danny Batth ahead of him on the bench, Nelson has not been in the matchday squad for the games against Wrexham and Middlesbrough.
The centre-back is out of contract at Derby in the summer, and playing first-team football will be crucial.
Speaking about Nelson last week, John Eustace said: "Curtis is part of the squad. Obviously, we can't carry too many defenders on the bench, but when he's been called upon so far, he's been great.
"In the Birmingham game, he came on and he was terrific.
"We want to do right by all the players, and he's getting treated exactly the same as the others. We just can't get him on the bench at the moment."
What was your favourite Nelson moment? Have your say HERE.