Derby County push to seal new Ipswich transfer - It's not Sammie Szmodics | OneFootball

Derby County are interested in Irish midfielder Chiedozie Ogbene this summer alongside Sammie Szmodics

Under John Eustace, Derby County will have their focus set on a place in the Championship top eight once again next season, but first, they will be aiming to get some key pieces of business over the line.

Indeed, with the Championship play-off places extended to 7th and 8th, had that come into effect last year, Derby, alongside Wrexham, would have sealed a play-off position.

Instead, they are resigned to another year in the second tier, but spirits will be high as they look forward to the next campaign, having seen huge strides in improvement since 2025.

Bobby Clark has rejoined the club on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell, after the Rams agreed a £6 million deal with Austrian side RB Salzburg, whilst experienced full-back Charlie Taylor has reinforced their back line following his release from Southampton, and attacking-midfielder Filip Bilbija signs on a free transfer from Paderborn.

More are expected through the Pride Park doors in due course, with Ipswich Town's Sammie Szmodics having been linked with a return, but now, Derby are looking to bring one of his current teammates with him.

Derby County are interested in Ipswich Town winger Chiedozie Ogbene this summer

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With a return for Szmodics firmly on Derby's radar, Eustace will be keen for further reinforcements before the beginning of the campaign.

The former Blackburn Rovers star joined on loan from Ipswich in January 2026, having struggled to make an impact back in the Championship at Portman Road, and following the Tractor Boys' promotion to the Premier League, likely has no future at the club.

With Gary O'Neil taking charge from Kieran McKenna, the former Bournemouth and Strasbourg head coach will be looking to stamp his authority on the squad and will allow unwanted players to leave.

Someone else who falls into that category is Irish winger Chiedozie Ogbene, who, according to DerbyshireLive, is the subject of interest from Eustace's side this summer.

Ogbene, 29, has had a difficult few years. Having previously starred for Rotherham United, he earned a move to Luton Town in the Premier League, where he scored four and assisted three in 30 top-flight appearances, as Ipswich parted ways with around £8 million in the summer of 2024 to bring him to Suffolk.

An Achilles tendon tear would disrupt his minutes, making just five appearances for the club, before being allowed to join Sheffield United on loan last season, where he could only muster 13 league appearances for the Blades.

Now, the winger is back at Portman Road, but will almost certainly play no role in the top flight for Ipswich next season, with Derby interested in offering him an escape route back to the Championship.

With two years remaining on his deal with the Tractor Boys, Derby may have to pay a small fee to lure him to Pride Park this summer, though Ipswich aren't likely to stand in his way should an acceptable offer arrive.

A loan move is not out of the realm of possibility either, though whether Ipswich would agree to another loan move, at this stage, remains to be seen.

Eustace is clearly looking to bolster his wide options with the Rams, and Ogbene has entered his crosshairs, as a potential deal that would see the Irishman head to Derby this summer could be on the cards.

How Derby County fans have reacted to Chiedozie Ogbene links

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With links to Ogbene having emerged, Derby fans have taken to social media to react to the news, providing a mixed response to the Irishman's potential addition.

This Derby fan is not particularly excited over Ogbene's potential addition, seeing his link as relatively underwhelming.

On the other hand, this Derby fan is ready to welcome Ogbene to the club with both arms, citing his work rate as a huge plus factor in any move getting over the line.

Indeed, with just one league goal and assist in the past two years, Derby fans can be forgiven for looking at his stats and being underwhelmed.