Derby County set for tough transfer calls - Southampton & Ipswich deals are 'realistic' | OneFootball

The Rams currently have five loan players registered, and head coach John Eustace wants to bring them all back

Derby County and John Eustace are set for some tough transfer calls this summer.

The Rams currently have five loan players registered - namely Ben Brereton Diaz, Sam Szmodics, Bobby Clark, Jaydon Banel and David Ozoh - who have all played their part this season in black and white.

Eustace admitted he's already had conversations with the players he'd like to re-sign going into next season, telling BBC Radio Derby, "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."

But, undoubtedly, some of these are going to be much harder to turn into permanent deals than others.

FLW's Rams Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, has opened up on the 'realistic' chances that every single one of these loanees actually remains at Pride Park beyond this campaign.

Why Derby County have to be 'realistic' with current loanees

Woodward agrees with what Eustace mentioned to BBC Radio Derby, noting the huge impact of the loan contingent on Derby's squad this term.

"I agree with Eustace. I think all the loanees have improved our team and our squad massively this season, and I’d be happy to see them all stay," Woodward told FLW.

However, the Fan Pundit added, "The biggest problem we’ve got is [Patrick] Agyemang’s injury means we’re unlikely to sell in the summer.

"I think the plan would’ve probably been to have made some good money on him and then with that money reinvest it into the likes of Ozoh, Szmodics, Clark, Diaz."

Prior to Agyemang’s well-known Achilles injury, Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Leeds United were reportedly eyeing the American forward in a £20m deal.

Which is perhaps why Woodward then said, "Without that money, I don’t think we’re going to have half as much really to try and do that."

The Ipswich Town & Southampton players Derby County may actually be able to afford

In terms of the temporary deals that the Rams have a better chance of making permanent this summer, Woodward said, "Realistically, we’re not going to be able to afford Clark.

"I do think Diaz is someone that we could get in, he’s enjoyed being at Derby, he’s enjoyed working under Eustace - and the same with Szmodics. I think those two are realistic."

Aside from Bobby Clark joining RB Salzburg for a reported fee of £10m, his former side Liverpool have a massive 17.5% sell-on clause in the deal.

Comparing this amount with the apparent £6m asking price Ipswich set on Szmodics before he joined on loan, it's highly likely Derby will be priced out of a future move for Clark, even though Eustace personally wants him back.

In truth, the Rams were even priced out of a move for Szmodics first, as they had an initial £3m bid turned down.

As for Brereton Diaz, well, he joined Southampton for £7m in 2024, and it remains to be seen how much money Saints would want for him at this stage.

Woodward concluded his verdict on Crystal Palace youngster David Ozoh, telling FLW, "Ozoh, again, I don’t know whether we’ll be able to afford him, given his age, and the potential there, but again, he’s loved his time at Derby.

"If he can stay injury free, then there’s a hell of a player there for the future. I just don’t know if him and Clark, whether we can afford what potentially they [Crystal Palace and RB Salzburg] might be after.

"I do think Szmodics and Diaz are achievable, even without selling Agyemang. I’d love to get them all, though."

Ultimately, the majority of Derby fans might agree with Woodward that the club should try and prioritise the permanent signings of Ozoh and Clark, but that might change once any potential transfer fees get reported.

If Ipswich and Southampton were to both get promoted from the Championship, then Szmodics and Brereton Diaz would almost certainly get no game time if they went back to their parent clubs.

So, you can definitely see why Woodward has come to the conclusion he has.