Nigel Clough's verdict on the transfer market facing Derby County and the Championship
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to affect how clubs do business in the transfer window
Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough (Image: Getty)
Former Derby County manager Nigel Clough says the Rams, Nottingham Forest and the rest of the Championship will have to be smart in a very different transfer market this summer.
The Mansfield Town boss says his club are unlikely to pay a transfer fee for any players in the current window as they look to build a team to challenge for promotion from League Two.
That stance is not uncommon further down the pyramid but Clough believes the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic will extend further up the football pyramid.
He believes clubs in the Championship will need to be able to pick out smart free transfers to bolster squads when money is set to be tight beyond clubs with parachute payments.
"You'll definitely have to be clever with free transfers. We've not paid a fee this year and I don't think we will be," he told Nottinghamshire Live.
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"Good players will always be in demand. They'll still command good deals. Unfortunately, there's going to be a lot of players unable to get clubs, but the best ones will always get fixed up.
"That applies to the Championship and everywhere else. You ask any manager, and they'll say recruitment is tough.
Clough was speaking at the Samantha Birtles Trophy charity match on Sunday as he managed the Garry Birtles Superstars team alongside European Cup winner Martin O'Neill.
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Derby CountyMP's gathered in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon after an urgent question was raised by Derbyshire MP Pauline Latham surrounding the situation between the Rams and the EFL.