Derby County told to 'cash in' on star amid mysterious Rams situation - £10m cash windfall could loom | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County fan pundit has given his verdict on Jacob Zetterstrom's future at the club

Derby County have gone from strength to strength under John Eustace since surviving relegation to League One last season.

The 46-year-old took charge of the Rams in February 2025, and he oversaw a 19th place finish in the Championship table.

The club survived in the second division by just one point in their first year back at this level after winning promotion under Paul Warne in 2024.

Derby invested heavily in the team in Eustace’s first summer in charge, and this has proved crucial to their rise to play-off contention.

If the club are to spend again in the upcoming transfer window, then perhaps a major sale could be necessary in order to raise funds.

One player who has been linked with a move away from Pride Park in recent months is Jacob Zetterstrom, with the goalkeeper reportedly attracting interest from top level clubs.

Derby County likely to cash in on Zetterstrom

When asked about the possibility of selling Zetterstrom in the summer, FLW’s Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward claimed that a sale might be necessary now that Patrick Agyemang is out for the next several months.

He believes that a major sale could be needed to fund the club’s transfer plans, and that one of Sondre Langas or Zetterstrom are the best available options to catch a major fee, as the shot-stopper in particular has improved quite a lot in his time with the Rams.

“I think with the injury to Patrick Agyemang, I’d be more inclined to look at cashing in on Zetterstrom,” Woodward told Football League World.

“He’s one of our only other probably prized assets, so to speak.

“Yes, his injury record this season has been concerning, or his illness or whatever’s been going on behind the scenes.

“But, a fit Zetterstrom and I think we’re looking at £6 to 8, maybe 10 million for him because he’s a very, very good goalkeeper.

“He’s got a lot better as he’s got accustomed to the English game, he’s cut out the mistakes.

“I think his distribution got better before his long-term absence, so I think there’s a very good goalkeeper there.

“I think him alongside Langas are probably the only two other players we could get money for right now [besides Agyemang].

“I think without Agyemang’s money that we were probably banking on in the summer, we probably need to sell to reinvest, so I think Zetterstrom — as good as he is and I’d like to keep him — I think we probably do need to cash in on him or Langas to rebuild for next season.”

Zetterstrom hasn’t played for Derby since January, with a mystery illness keeping him out of the team over the last three months.

However, he could still return to the team before the end of the campaign, with the Rams still in contention for a top six finish.

Meanwhile, Agyemang will be absent for up to nine months following an Achilles injury, with a potential return not expected until the start of 2027.

The American forward had been linked with Crystal Palace and Leeds United ahead of the summer window, but he will now remain at Pride Park.

He arrived in a deal worth an initial £5.8 million from Charlotte FC, and he proved a strong addition to Eustace’s squad.

But his absence has dented the club’s hopes of making a major sale in the summer, which could lead to further speculation surrounding Zetterstrom’s future.

Jacob Zetterstrom sale could depend on illness recovery

Zetterstrom was a standout part of Derby’s impressive season before his sudden departure from the side.

The goalkeeper at his best definitely has the potential to net the club an eight-figure sum, which would be a great bit of business.

The Rams can’t afford to spend without bringing in major fees for players, so cashing in on a top star like Zetterstrom, or Langas, may be required this summer.

But interest in the goalkeeper may have diminished with his lack of game time in recent months, meaning it could be crucial to see him back in the team again before the end of the campaign in order for Derby to maximise his value in the transfer market this year, provided he is capable of putting the gloves back on in time.