Derby County, Stoke City among clubs eyeing deal for Hull City man

Derby County, Stoke City and Wrexham are interested in Hull City centre-back John Egan, according to Football Insider.

Derby County and Stoke City both had close shaves with relegation last season. Now though, in their first full seasons under their respective bosses, DCFC and the Potters have eyes on making progress up the Championship table.

Wrexham meanwhile won automatic promotion from League One, and will be intent on keeping the Rams and SCFC below them in a bid to consolidate a second tier place.

Now, it is claimed all three sides could go toe-to-toe for the signature of centre-back John Egan.

Football Insider reports that all of Derby County, Stoke City and Wrexham are keen on Egan, who is on the books at Championship rivals Hull City.

It is said that all three clubs have registered their interested in the Republic of Ireland international, and it could be that he moves for a cut-price fee given the Tigers’ financial issues. The club were recently hit with a three-window transfer embargo due to outstanding debts from previous deals.

That would surely appeal to DCFC, Stoke and the Red Dragons, who are intent on strengthening their respective backlines before the season’s start.

Significant Championship pedigree

If Derby County, Stoke City and Wrexham want a central defender with vast experience to their name, Egan could be the perfect option.

After starting out on English shores with Sunderland, Egan first made a name for himself at Gillingham before a switch to Brentford. His form there warranted a move to Sheffield United in 2018, where Egan enjoyed the most notable stint of his career.

He made 224 appearances for the Blades over six years, impressing in both the Championship and Premier League. After leaving Bramall Lane, short-term stays at Burnley and Hull City have followed, tough the Tigers may hold hope of keeping him for longer yet.

A smart Nat Phillips alternative for Derby County?

Stoke City and Wrexham might have something to say about Derby County’s pursuit of Egan, but if he was to head to DCFC, he could prove to be a valuable addition to John Eustace’s defence.

The Rams were hopeful of keeping Nat Phillips on a permanent basis after his successful loan but West Brom managed to strike a deal with Liverpool first. That has almost certainly left the Derbyshire outfit looking for alternatives.

As another experienced centre-back with leadership abilities and pedigree at a higher level, Egan could be a cheaper yet impressive alternative to previous target Phillips.

Wrexham star comes clean on dressing room’s brutal treatment of Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman is one of many A-list celebrities to have visited Wrexham since the club was bought by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but it didn’t go down well with the players

A former Wrexham captain has revealed how Hollywood heavyweight Hugh Jackman faced a surprisingly cool response from players after a visit to the team’s changing room.

The Welsh club has become a magnet for star visits ever since actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over in February 2021. The Racecourse Ground has welcomed many celebrities from Tinseltown, with appearances from Eva Longoria, Channing Tatum and Paul Rudd.

Comedy legend Will Ferrell also raised some laughs when he greeted the squad in February 2023. However, ex-Red Dragons skipper Ben Tozer has now shared how an encounter with Jackman received a less warm reception.

Jackman, who featured alongside Reynolds in last year’s Deadpool and Wolverine movie, was present in August 2023 hoping to see Wrexham triumph in their first match back in the EFL for 15 years. Despite the hype around the season opener in League Two, Phil Parkinson’s team were beaten 5-3 at home by MK Dons.

Following the disappointing result, the players weren’t particularly sociable as Jackman ventured into the dressing room. Tozer, who recently hung up his boots, spoke about some of the star-studded visits while talking to Sky Sports Radio.

He said: “The one where I had to pinch myself was when Will Ferrell walked in the dressing room before a game. I was like, ‘I have to shake and bake with that guy,’ because of Talladega Nights.

“But unfortunately, when Hugh Jackman came into the dressing room, he got the cold shoulder because we’d lost the game. He walked in and no one was bothered. Everyone was just a bit like, ‘Can you get out please? We don’t want anyone in here.'”

Jackman, who is a self-proclaimed fan of the club, posted a heartfelt tribute to Wrexham on Instagram in July 2023. He said: “You don’t even have to like @vancityreynolds. @wrexham_afc @wrexhamfx is the people, the town, the heart, the show that is balm for the soul.”

In the past, Jackman spoke of how he was inspired by Reynolds’ acquisition of Wrexham and was nearly convinced to buy a football club himself.