Derby County chasing £5m Crystal Palace transfer as Turki Alalshikh boost looms | OneFootball

Derby County are plotting a permanent deal for Crystal Palace midfielder and former loan star David Ozoh this summer

Derby County's summer business is increasingly intensifying, with three new faces through the doors at Pride Park already, and another one or two seemingly close; a deal to bring a former loan star back permanently appears increasingly likely.

Derby's summer business has been shifted up a gear over the last week or so, with head coach John Eustace continuing to stamp his authority on this Rams side ahead of another play-off push next season.

Bobby Clark, after impressing on loan last campaign, has returned on a permanent deal from RB Salzburg, whilst Charlie Taylor and Filip Bilbija have arrived on free transfers.

Eustace has previously made no qualms about his desire to bring back his loan cohort from last season, as with a deal for Sammie Szmodics progressing following the return of Clark, another reunion could be on the cards, this time permanently, in a move Rams supporters will surely love.

Derby County are interested in signing Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh permanently after two successful loan spells

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With Clark through the doors, Szmodics not far behind, Eustace is well and truly looking to get the band back together at Pride Park, as according to Alan Nixon via Patreon, a permanent move for Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh is something being actively explored by Derby this summer.

Ozoh, 21, has spent the last two seasons on loan with the Rams from the South London outfit, having initially joined the club under Paul Warne, but making a strong impression under Eustace, prompting the former Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City head coach to sanction another loan move last summer.

The Valencia-born Nigerian has spent his entire youth and professional career contracted to Palace, making 13 appearances for the Eagles during that period.

In two years with Derby, the midfielder has made 47 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals, and would have surely made more had it not been for persistent injury problems.

Nevertheless, Nixon reports that Derby are looking to strike a deal with the Premier League outfit over a permanent return of Ozoh, with a price range of around £5 million on his head.

A large investment deal from Saudi Arabian government official Turki Alalshikh could be finalised as early as next week, which would give the club more funds to work with, as Eustace looks to Ozoh to spend that windfall on.

No formal offer has been made as yet, but Derby's interest is evident, as Eustace aims to bring the former fan favourite back for good.

Why Derby County and John Eustace want David Ozoh's return

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As previously mentioned, Eustace has made it no secret of his intentions of bringing back his former loan stars from last season, saying: "Obviously I've spoken to all the players. They love playing for Derby, they love being here.

"From that point of view, I think they'd all love to stay but everything else is out of my hands."

With Lewis Travis, Oscar Fraulo, and Liam Thompson for competition in the middle of the park, midfield reinforcements were always likely going to be a priority this summer.

Completing 89.7 per cent of his passes last campaign, and completing 23 successful dribbles, as per FotMob, despite his stature, Ozoh is incredibly technically gifted, and still just 21; his ceiling is stupidly high.

Given his strong relationship with the club already, it's no surprise a permanent return for Ozoh is on the cards this summer, as Derby continue to focus their sights on a place in the top eight next year,

How have Derby County fans reacted to David Ozoh's potential permanent return?

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It may be a tad excessive, though Derby's fans' desperation to see Ozoh back in the white and black colours of the club is clear.

Indeed, Ozoh's injury record is something that should be taken into consideration when striking a deal, though if he is able to get over those problems, £5 million surely seems a steal.

On the contrary, this Rams fan is more than happy to part ways with upwards of £6 million for the midfielder, slightly more than the fee quoted in the report.