Derby County urged to strike £5m Crystal Palace deal ASAP | OneFootball

Derby have been backed to land a permanent swoop for former Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh

Derby County are looking to continue their upward trend under John Eustace by backing their head coach in the summer transfer market, as a permanent move for a former loan star has emerged as a real possibility.

Since Eustace assumed control at Pride Park in February 2025 after his predecessor, Paul Warne, was dismissed, Derby have only been looking up.

The Rams enjoyed a busy summer window last time around under the former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers boss, and having already completed a deal for Bobby Clark, Charlie Taylor, and Filip Bilbija in recent weeks, are seemingly backing the 46-year-old once again.

With Eustace incredibly open about his desire to bring back his loan stars of last year, having already completed a deal for Clark, talks with Ipswich Town are progressing regarding a deal for Sammie Szmodics, as now, a third former loan star could be on his way back to Pride Park after recent news.

Derby County are reportedly interested in a permanent move for Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh this summer

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According to Alan Nixon's Patreon, Derby are planning a cash bid for Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh, with the dominant and technically gifted midfielder having spent the past two seasons on loan at Pride Park.

Ozoh, 21, who recently pledged his national allegiance to Nigeria, having been able to represent either Spain or England as well, made 47 appearances across two years for the Rams, having been initially brought to the club in the summer of 2024 by Warne, as Eustace sanctioned his return the summer after.

Now, a permanent return for Ozoh could be on the cards, with a price tag of around £5 million on his head, as Saudi Arabian government official Turki Alalshikh looks to complete a large investment deal as early as next week to help provide funds to sanction the deal.

Derby County fan pundit provides reaction on David Ozoh's potential permanent switch

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Football League World's Derby fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, has shared their thoughts on the Rams' potential £5 million swoop for Ozoh, and whether they think that is a fair price.

Shaun told FLW: "Pay the £5 million and get out there quick. We don't want teams that got relegated from the Premier League or the top teams in the Championship hearing about this and potentially coming in with a better offer.

"David Ozoh's undoubtedly got bags of potential. His ceiling's really high for someone so young. When he's fully fit and firing, he's an absolute beast at this level. He showed last season, and the season before that, he can dominate in midfield almost on his own. He's so strong, so dynamic, and he's only going to get better.

"I just hope he stays fit. That's the only worry with me is he's had some big injuries for someone so young. So we're going to have to really look after him.

"But what a player to bring back in, with him and Bobby Clark coming into the building. It gives us such a big boost, and also, they're a brilliant age. The future looks really bright for Derby with those two at the club, and they could both go on to make the club a lot more money in the future if we don't go up ourselves.

John Eustace must consider a swift David Ozoh swoop to avoid potential interest from elsewhere emerging

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With an investment deal right around the corner, Eustace will have some extra funds to play with at Derby, and is seemingly looking to use some of that to secure a permanent deal for Ozoh.

The midfielder has spent his entire career contracted to Palace, but having made just 13 first-team appearances for the club, and Pierre Sage taking the reins at Selhurst Park, an exit could be on the cards for the 21-year-old.

Though injuries have thwarted his time on the field during his two years at Pride Park, Ozoh has impressed whenever fit, and surely won't be short on interest this summer.