Derby County weighing up Southampton transfer raid as Zetterstrom exit threat looms | OneFootball

Derby County are preparing to make a move for Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunun this summer

Derby County are looking to build upon a solid campaign in the Championship last season with a strong summer window, as the Rams target a reputable potential replacement for Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

Derby just missed out on a place in the play-offs last season on the final day, with a 2-1 defeat at home to Sheffield United, and results elsewhere confirming their position in the second tier for next year.

It was a much improved campaign in comparison to the previous one at Pride Park, where Derby only just scraped survival, as head coach John Eustace looks to continue to stamp his authority on the Rams squad.

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has been the club's undisputed number one since arriving from Swedish side Djurgarden in the summer of 2024 for around £1.4 million, but with exit rumours swirling, Derby have turned their attentions to a division rival for a potential replacement to the Swede.

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Zetterstrom, 27, has impressed ever since stepping between the sticks at Pride Park in 2024, and having represented Sweden twice at the World Cup recently, has only elevated his reputation.

As per Fabrizio Romano, the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt, Leeds United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all registered an interest in Zetterstrom, with fears that an exit this summer could be on the cards.

Eustace will be doing everything in his power to try and convince the Swede to commit his future to the Rams, but has already taken steps in case a departure comes to fruition by setting his sights on Southampton shot-stopper Gavin Bazunu this summer, as per Jack Rosser of SunSport.

Bazunu, 24, has had a difficult four years at St Mary's, suffering relegation twice and spending time out on loan with both Standard Liege and Stoke City, where he failed to impress at either.

The Irish international joined the Saints in the summer of 2022 for around £12 million from Manchester City, and with one year remaining on his current deal, has failed to live up to that price tag and could leave the South Coast this summer, with Derby reportedly interested.

With Southampton having completed the addition of Daniel Peretz on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich to become their number one for next year, Alex McCarthy having left the club on a free transfer, and Aaron Ramsdale expected to depart following a loan with Newcastle United, Bazunu could be next in line for the exit door.

Derby are reportedly braced to lose Zetterstrom this summer, and have seemingly outlined Bazunu as a potential alternative should the Swede indeed depart.

Southampton will almost certainly be willing to complete a deal which would see the Irishman leave over the coming weeks and months, in what would likely be a huge loss on their previous £12 million investment.

Bazunu has struggled to find a permanent home over the past four years since his arrival at Southampton, and though he has struggled to perform in that period, a move to Derby could be the best thing for all parties to allow him to refind his feet.

Nevertheless, Derby fans will be hoping it doesn't come to that, and that Zetterstrom stays, as Bazunu has been lined up as a potential option in case the worst-case scenario happens for the Rams.

John Eustace will be holding his breath on Jacob Widell Zetterstrom's Derby County future amid Gavin Bazunu links

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With links to Bazunu emerging, fears of Zetterstrom's exit will only increase throughout the Rams fanbase.

Indeed, it would take a lucrative fee to lure the Swede away from Pride Park this summer, though replacing what he offers to the side presents an almost impossible task for Eustace.

Bazunu, although he has struggled over recent years, is still clearly a talented goalkeeper, but in desperate need of a fresh start, which he could find with Derby.

No formal moves have been made as yet, as Derby fans await to see how this saga progresses over the coming weeks and months.