Derby risk losing World Cup star for £0 in 2027 - Burnley & Wolves must be ready | OneFootball

Derby County goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is out of contract next summer, as Burnley and Wolves should prepare moves in case

Derby County have had a tricky start to the 2026/27 campaign, as their struggles can be attributed to a myriad of reasons, though the main one has undoubtedly been injuries, and upon their return from the international break, they will have to contend with a particularly significant one.

Derby have not had the start to the new season as they would have hoped, mirroring their beginning to the last campaign under John Eustace, where they won just one of their ten opening games before things began to pick up.

Eustace will point to the sheer amount of injuries the Rams have suffered already, with the likes of Lewis Travis, Patrick Agyemang, Matt Clarke, and Jacob Widell Zetterström among those to have spent time in the treatment room already.

Zetterström’s absence, in particular, is a huge blow for Derby, and come the summer of 2027, they may yet face an even greater disappointment regarding the Swedish shot-stopper.

Why Championship clubs will want to sign Jacob Widell Zetterström for £0 in 2027

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Since arriving at Pride Park in the summer of 2024 from Djurgarden for just £1.4 million, Zetterström has been Derby’s undisputed number one, and for good reason. However, he isn't expected back until late October after suffering a knee injury.

Last season alone, the 28-year-old prevented 6.48 goals from hitting the back of the Rams' net, as per FotMob, among the very best underlying numbers in the Championship, and as a result, headed to the World Cup with Sweden in North America a few months ago.

Initially behind Kristoffer Nordfeldt in the pecking order, Zetterström would take his place between the sticks for games against Japan and France, losing out 3-0 in the latter, but despite this, he performed admirably and kept Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson out of contention.

In what ought to be the prime of his career at 28, Zetterström remains among the best shot-stoppers the English second tier has to offer, but with a contract running until the end of the season and no indication as yet that an extension will be agreed, he could leave for nothing in less than 12 months.

Football League World has taken a look at two Championship clubs who should be considering swoops for the Swede already.

Burnley

Burnley, like Derby, have had a dreadful beginning to the new campaign, though the Clarets likely have a claim for an even worse start, failing to win any of their opening eight fixtures following relegation to the Championship.

If Nicky Hayen cannot turn things around sooner rather than later, Burnley risk falling into the same trap as the likes of Sunderland, Luton Town, and Leicester City to fall from the Premier League to League One in consecutive seasons.

German shot-stopper Max Weiss has been on the end of heavy criticism for his performances between the sticks already this season, and following a high-profile error away to Swansea City, he was taken out of the firing line for their home clash with Derby just before the international break, which Zetterström also coincidentally missed.

Since Martin Dubravka left, Burnley have not adequately replaced the former Newcastle United goalkeeper, and are feeling the effects of that in the most brutal way possible.

Should they halt their slide and climb to safety, Burnley must be on the lookout for a new safe pair of hands come the summer, and should absolutely be considering a move for Derby's Zetterström.

The Swede has only gotten better in recent years, and there is no reason to believe why he couldn't continue that trajectory with a switch to Turf Moor.

Should Burnley turn things around, there is no reason why they can't catch up and climb the table back into promotion contention, as even if they do make an immediate return to the Premier League, Zetterström is ready to make that jump, and on a free transfer, he's surely a no-brainer.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers, unlike Burnley, have had a strong start to the season following relegation, winning four, drawing three, and losing one of their opening eight league games, with that defeat coming away to likely title contenders West Ham United.

Cesar Peixoto has lifted spirits at Molineux following a highly disappointing relegation, and the Old Gold look like real promotion candidates early on, though right up until the summer window slammed shut, their goalkeeper scenario remained unclear.

Daniel Bentley started the opening game in Wolves' 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers, but he would leave for Coventry City shortly after, as Jose Sa took his place.

However, Sa has looked far from comfortable in the second tier, as Peixoto weighed up whether to entrust him or Sam Johnstone for the season, ultimately choosing the former, with the latter heading to Celtic.

Whether or not Wolves are promoted from the Championship, a new goalkeeper should be a priority, and given they previously held an interest in the Swede, Zetterström could be an ideal fit in the Black Country.

Performing beyond his expected numbers for Derby, Zetterström is running high on confidence and only getting better, and should he join Wolves, he could thrive when called upon.

The Old Gold could likely offer better wages than Derby and a lot of other interested parties, as for £0, Wolves could have their new number one for years to come in the form of the Swede.