Championship rivals Derby County eyeing move for Portsmouth favourite Conor Chaplin after Ipswich Town release

Conor Chaplin has fresh Championship interest following his Ipswich Town exit, according to reports.

The 29-year-old is on the hunt for a new club after the Tractor Boys opted against triggering his 12-month option last week, bringing an end to his five-year stay at Portman Road.

This will see the forward, who scored two goals during his season-long stay with Pompey, become a free agent this summer.

With interest growing ahead of the upcoming transfer window, Derby County have reportedly set their sights on securing Chaplin’s services.

Derby County eye swoop for Pompey favourite

Football League World have claimed the attacker is on John Eustace’s radar as they bid to fill the void left by loanee Sammie Szmodics, who flourished in the Rams’ play-off push during the second half of the campaign.

The report states Derby are targeting the Fratton Park academy graduate, who will be available on a free transfer. The Pride Park outfit are looking to strengthen this summer after missing out on a top six finish on the final day.

Chaplin, of course, is beginning his search for a fresh start following his Portman Road exit last week.

The forward revealed on Thursday that he had a ‘few things in the background’, but made it clear he was not rushing to make a decision over his next move.

The ex-Barnsley and Coventry City man completed his Fratton Park homecoming in September 2025, penning a season-long loan deal from Ipswich.

Despite huge excitement over his capture, Chaplin’s PO4 return failed to hit the heights he and supporters expected, yeilding a return of two goals and three assists in 37 outings.

It remains to be seen whether a summer swoop will be on the cards by the Blues, although John Mousinho left the door ajar to a potential move earlier this month.

Join Neil Allen and Jordan Cross every Thursday for an in-depth read with our premium newsletter

Honest Conor Chaplin on Pompey struggles

And after a frustrating loan stint in front of goal, an honest Chaplin shared his struggles with The News in April and felt he had ‘let people down’.

‘There’s been a lot of emotion. There’s been a feeling of times that I’ve let people down - I’ve left the fans down and I’ve let the manager down.

‘But I genuinely haven’t dropped belief that I’m a very good player at this level, I’ve not dropped belief that I can make a difference for us until the end of the season.

‘I think once that belief goes you’re toast, so you really have to believe that.

‘Then I think it’s just the work every day. I like to do as much as I can to recover, as much as I can to be ready and stay ready.

‘I think moments like that at Middlesbrough justify why you do that. That’s rewards, in my eyes, for doing as much as you can to be ready and stay ready.

‘For me, it’s my family, my kids and my fiancee who’ve kept me going - that’s never been more so than now.

‘There’s been certain elements I’ve actually really enjoyed about this tough spell, because I’ve had a real upward trajectory in the last four or five years of my career.

‘I know that a career isn’t just linear, there’s all sorts of things which happen in a career - so I’ve genuinely enjoyed finding out what I’m made of in adversity.

‘I’ve enjoyed finding out how I react when people doubt me, I’ve enjoyed finding out how I react when things aren’t going my way and I’m not scoring goals.

‘I’ve found how good a professional I can be every single day when things aren’t going my way. I think that’s what I’m proud of most.’

Your next Pompey read: Stoke City confirm significant appointment amid new links with Portsmouth boss John Mousinho