Former Derby County striker Cameron Jerome has said that the club blocked moves to Championship trio Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United and West Brom during the summer transfer window.
Speaking to The Sun (quotes via the Nottingham Post), Cameron Jerome has said that former club Derby County would not let him join vicious rivals Nottingham Forest or fellow Championship sides Sheffield United and West Brom.
The striker did manage to complete a move away from Pride Park, moving abroad for the first time to join Turkish Super Lig side Goztepe. However, he could’ve moved earlier had Derby County allowed him to join either of the three Championship clubs aforementioned.
“I was looking forward to working with Lampard. But he changed his mind on me, it was a bit of a surprise, but no hard feelings at all,” Jerome said.
“They wouldn’t let me go to a rival and I was stuck there with a year left on my contract.
“I couldn’t go to Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United or West Brom and then they asked if I would move to certain clubs. Those moves were not going to benefit me and I felt should be at Derby competing for a place.”
The former Norwich and Birmingham man went on to discuss Derby’s promotion hopes, stating he doesn’t think they’ll make it up to the Premier League.
“I can’t see it at the minute, the games I’ve seen recently there are too many teams stronger than them. I’m not being bitter, just being honest, they could be an outsider for the play-offs, and it gets harder every year.”
Since his move to Turkey, Jerome has played 23 games for Goztepe, bagging four goals and providing one assist (Transfermarkt).