Derby County Faces Competition for Koki Saito as Transfer Window Closes

Derby County is unlikely to secure the signing of Japanese winger Koki Saito, valued at £5 million, as interest from Birmingham City intensifies ahead of the transfer window deadline. Following a productive loan spell with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) during the 2024/25 Championship season, Saito has emerged as a target for both clubs, alongside FC Twente from the Dutch Eredivisie.

Saito, who has not played for Lommel since April 2022, is seen as a valuable addition to any team looking to enhance their attacking options. Both Derby and Birmingham have made significant moves in the summer transfer market, but fans of both clubs agree that securing a winger like Saito could be crucial for their ambitions.

Transfer Dynamics and Financial Considerations

In a discussion with Football League World, Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward expressed skepticism about the Rams’ ability to meet Saito’s asking price. “We are in desperate need of wingers, but I just don’t think we have £5 million to splash out on one player,” Woodward stated. He also noted that competing with Birmingham, who have demonstrated greater financial capability under the ownership of Tom Wagner, would be a daunting challenge.

Birmingham’s recent signings, including Kyogo Furuhashi for up to £10.3 million and a reported £10 million buy clause for Tommy Doyle, showcase their ambition to strengthen their squad. If Birmingham considers Saito a good investment, they could easily outbid Derby, leaving the Rams at a disadvantage.

Despite Saito’s modest return of three goals and three assists in 39 appearances for QPR last season, his potential remains high. He recorded 40 successful dribbles, 39 chances created, and 104 touches in the opposition box during the Championship campaign, highlighting his ability to impact games significantly.

The Future for Koki Saito

Having recently turned 24, Saito has the opportunity to develop further, potentially serving a club like Derby for several years if he joins. Woodward noted, “He’s at a great age and could play for Derby for four, five, six years if he was successful,” likening his potential to that of Agyemang, another promising player.

Despite the wishful thinking, Woodward remains realistic. “I can’t see us splashing out another £5 million, and even if we did, the likes of Birmingham coming in would likely see us miss out because they have more cash behind them at the moment,” he said.

Saito’s time at QPR saw him grow into a more prominent role, with all three of his goals coming in the latter part of the season. His last ten league appearances were all as a starter, indicating his increasing importance to the squad. Should he end up at either Derby, Birmingham, or even return to QPR, his presence would undoubtedly improve the team dynamics for the 2025/26 season.

While Derby fans hope that Birmingham’s interest remains tentative, the reality is that if Birmingham pursues Saito seriously, he may very well choose to join their ranks, driven by the allure of a club with greater resources and aspirations to return to the Premier League. As the transfer window approaches its conclusion, the race for Koki Saito continues to heat up, leaving Derby County fans hoping for a last-minute change of fortune.