Derby County can seal Crystal Palace agreement - it surely rests on one condition | OneFootball

Derby County can likely only sign David Ozoh permanently if Premier League promotion is secured

Derby County are hoping for a return to the Premier League this season, with the Rams in a tightly congested battle for one of the play-off spots with just a handful of games remaining.

It's been an enjoyable year at Pride Park for Derby, who, under John Eustace, have transformed from relegation candidates last season to play-off chasers this time around.

Indeed, since Eustace took over from Paul Warne in February 2025, the Rams have been on an almost constant upwards trajectory, with the former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers manager saving them from relegation to League One and potentially taking them to the Premier League in just over 12 months.

Eustace was given free rein over transfers in the summer, with Derby allowing him to oversee a big summer overhaul, such as is their trust in their manager; it has paid dividends.

The likes of Patrick Agyemang, Bobby Clark, Dion Sanderson, and Joe Ward were all signed under Eustace, and all have been superb additions, as has Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh, who rejoined the Rams in the summer after spending the previous campaign on loan at Pride Park.

Ozoh has shown glimpses of his undoubted ability in the Championship and looks set to return to Selhurst Park in the summer, with Derby's chances of signing the midfielder for a third time hinging on one key condition.

Derby County must secure Premier League promotion to boost hopes of a permanent David Ozoh capture

When fit, Ozoh has been one of the first names on the team sheet at Derby this season. Unfortunately for him, he has had to contend with an array of injury troubles both this season and last.

A series of hamstring, quad, and thigh injuries plagued his 2024/25 season, limiting him to just ten league appearances across the campaign, but despite this, Eustace decided to sanction a return for Ozoh this summer.

That decision looks to have paid off, as though the midfielder has also dealt with thigh problems once more this time around, his minutes have been more regular, as he looks to shake off his injury woes and leave them as a thing of the past.

His recent performance against Stoke City was indicative of exactly what he is about as a player, with his physical presence and technical ability dominating the midfield and helping the Rams control the game on their way to three points.

Ahead of their trip to fellow play-off contenders Southampton, Ozoh spoke to the club's media team about his time at Pride Park coming to an end, saying: "Of course I do think about it. It's not a nice feeling knowing that it could come to an end; I've enjoyed my time here. It's been very good.

"I've enjoyed the staff, the players, the fans, everyone. It's been a great time."

It would be fair to suggest that, in an ideal world, a third spell at Derby, this time permanently, would be the best outcome for almost everyone involved, though Crystal Palace's stance on the midfielder, at this stage, remains unclear.

Ozoh has clearly made an impression during his time with the Rams, and would likely be open to a permanent switch, as would the club, but should they remain in the Championship and miss out on promotion, their job of re-signing him permanently in the summer becomes increasingly difficult.

Derby will be doing everything they can to bring top-flight football back to Pride Park next year.

John Eustace will have his eyes set on the play-offs as promotion to the Premier League is the ultimate aim for Derby amid David Ozoh's future

With just a handful of games to go, the play-offs are evidently the target for Derby and Eustace at this stage of the season.

A slow start to the campaign, where they won just one of their opening ten fixtures, has ultimately hindered their league standings and left them playing catch-up for the bulk of the season.

However, a top-six finish is still an absolute possibility for Derby, who will be doing everything they can to achieve just that.

Whether they will be able to do so remains to be seen, but should they stand a chance at seeing Ozoh grace Derby colours once again next year, promotion is absolutely imperative.