Exclusive: Derby County register interest in signing George Bello
Derby County have registered their interest in signing LASK left-back George Bello in January, sources have told Football Insider.
The USA international has been in sparkling form in his 17 appearances so far this season and has been voted into the Austrian Bundesliga team of the mid-season.
Sources say the 23-year-old is valued at £1.5million and is on the radar of multiple clubs both in the Championship and Scottish Premiership.
Bello signed a new contract with LASK in September to extend his stay until 2027, but there is now a feeling he could be allowed to leave for the right price.
Derby County register interest in George Bello
With seven international caps to his name and plenty of club-level experience despite his young age, Bello’s low price tag has played multiple suitors on alert.
Since joining Austrian outfit LASK in 2023, the left-back has made 95 appearances, with previous experience gained both in the Bundesliga and MLS.
Derby’s interest comes following a serious injury to Owen Beck, who is expected to miss around three months and has returned to his parent club Liverpool.
This has left Callum Elder as the first-choice left-back at Pride Park, and while his displays have not been a major concern, the Rams plan to add depth to the position.
Derby County signings could lead to late season ambitions
John Eustace‘s Derby side have had a mixed season in the Championship so far, having picked up eight wins, eight draws and eight defeats after 24 games.
However, there have been suggestions that the right additions in the mid-season window could set them up for an ambitious 2026 given the congestion of the table.
Derby sit in 14th place as things stand, but are just six points short of the playoff places, and a strong run of fixtures could see them shoot up the table.
Alongside their interest in Bello, Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Derby want to sign Nigerian striker Raifu Durosinmi in January.
The Nigerian hit-man is entering the final six months of his contract at Plzen and he could be available for a cut-price fee of £5.7million fee.
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