Why Derby County may now face fresh Patrick Agyemang transfer fear | OneFootball

Derby County must brace for fresh interest in Patrick Agyemang after his exploits on the international stage

It's been a much-improved season for Derby County, who are still well within the hunt for the Championship play-offs with just seven games remaining, with John Eustace's side's sights firmly on the Premier League.

Having narrowly survived relegation last campaign, Derby have turned their fortunes around this year.

John Eustace spearheaded a huge overhaul in recruitment over the summer, bringing in upwards of 13 players into the squad, and whilst they started slowly, winning just one of their opening ten league games, they have recovered emphatically.

Even with key players in Carlton Morris, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, and Max Johnston missing portions of the season due to injury, the Rams haven't let that have too much of a negative impact on their form.

The international break provides a chance for all teams in the Championship to rest and recover, with Derby being no different in that respect.

However, one player hasn't had the chance for much rest and has instead continued to make waves on the international stage for his country, which could lead to fresh transfer interest this summer.

Patrick Agyemang's latest exploits will only heighten Leeds United transfer interest

25-year-old forward Patrick Agyemang only joined Derby this summer from MLS side Charlotte in a deal which could reach as much as £7.3 million, but since then, he has already seen his stock increase drastically.

The American has taken to the Championship like a duck to water, scoring ten and assisting four in 36 second-tier appearances so far, and has unsurprisingly attracted interest from numerous sides in the Premier League.

Leeds United have been the side most prominently linked with a switch for Agyemang, with Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers also reportedly tracking his situation.

The 25-year-old looks set to be a part of Mauricio Pochettino's USA side at this summer's World Cup, at which point he will have hoped to have nailed down his place in the starting 11, albeit he must fend off competition from the likes of Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent.

In the USMNT's first game of this international break, Agyemang came off the bench to replace Balogun and scored his country's second goal in a 5-2 defeat.

Although the result will be particularly disappointing for the Derby forward, getting his name on the scoresheet will only help his chances of forcing his way into Pochettino's plans, whilst also increasing his profile heading into the summer.

Derby have a huge asset on their hands in Agyemang, and whilst they will of course be reluctant to see him depart this summer, scoring on the international stage will only help to drive up his price in the event of a sale.

John Eustace will be eager to keep Patrick Agyemang at Derby beyond the summer in any instance

With Derby well within the chance of playing Premier League football next season, it makes perfect sense that they would be reluctant to lose Agyemang this summer in any instance.

Promotion would give them an upper hand in negotiations and certainly more bargaining power, and should they indeed fire themselves to the top flight, it would be incredibly unlikely that he would leave.

Staying in the Championship would not necessarily mean that Agyemang is certain to leave, although Derby would likely find it tough to convince him to stick around amid Premier League interest.

Fortunately for them, him signing a four-year deal upon his arrival means his contract doesn't expire until the summer of 2029, meaning Eustace's side are firmly in the driving seat when it comes to negotiations, and will not be forced to sell for cheap.

Whatever the case, Agyemang's exploits for his country will only attract further interest from elsewhere, whilst reinforcing Leeds' desire to pursue his signature.

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