Leeds United prepare Derby County move as John Eustace braced for exit | OneFootball

Derby County are reportedly preparing for offers for Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom this summer as Leeds United linger

Off the back of a strong season in the Championship, Derby County boss John Eustace will almost certainly be aiming to strengthen his side's ranks this summer, but will be wary of the potential departures of a few stars, as fresh rumours only increase worry around Pride Park.

Back in 2025, Derby only survived relegation to League One by the skin of their teeth, and following a busy summer window last time around, climbed all the way to within touching distance of the top six.

Now, Eustace will be keen to use last season as a platform and cement Derby's status as a real play-off contender moving forward, with the former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers boss having no intentions of regressing anywhere across the pitch.

Bobby Clark's loan move from RB Salzburg has recently been made permanent for around £6 million, whilst Manchester City striker Divin Mubama has been linked with a loan move to Pride Park.

However, with Gavin Bazunu having also been linked with a move to Derby, fresh exit fears have emerged regarding their number one shot-stopper, as a Premier League side prepares a swoop.

Derby County are bracing themselves for offers for Jacob Widell Zetterstrom this summer as Leeds United prepare a swoop

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Ever since arriving at Pride Park in the summer of 2024, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has been Derby's undisputed number one shot-stopper.

The Swede arrived from Djurgarden for around £1.4 million, and has since gone on to make 75 appearances for the Rams across all competitions, emerging as one of the best keepers in the Championship.

Having linked up with Sweden for the recent World Cup in North America, Zetterstrom replaced Kristoffer Nordfeldt between the sticks for games against Japan and France, and despite a draw and defeat in those fixtures, heavily impressed.

Against France alone, despite a 3-0 defeat, Zetterstrom made nine saves against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, and Bradley Barcola.

Fabrizio Romano would report that each of Eintracht Frankfurt, Leeds United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers had all registered an interest in the 27-year-old following his performances for his country, with real fears of a potential exit emerging at Pride Park.

Now, those rumours look to unfold into formal offers, as according to FootballInsider, Derby are bracing themselves for bids for the Swede this summer, as Leeds prepare a move to lure him to Elland Road.

Only Carl Rushworth (6.7) and Christian Walton (5.6) led Zetterstrom (5.5) for goals prevented in the Championship last season, as per FotMob, as the Swede impresses for both club and country.

With one year remaining on his current deal, and showing no signs of penning an extension, this could be Derby's only chance to cash in on Zetterstrom, albeit they won't be able to command the fee they would have hoped for given his contract situation.

Derby's recent interest in Bazunu further indicates their preparation for potential offers for Zetterstrom, as the Rams brace themselves for a bidding war to ensue for the 27-year-old.

As Leeds look to prepare an opening bid for Zetterstrom, both Wolves and Eintracht Frankfurt will be closely monitoring the situation, as will numerous other clubs across England and Europe, with Derby hoping to maximise a fee they receive in any potential outgoing of the Swede.

John Eustace will hope Derby County can ramp up Jacob Widell Zetterstrom's price as Leeds United prepare to begin bidding war

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With interest in Zetterstrom not exactly sparse, head coach Eustace will be hoping Derby can use the interest in the Swede to their advantage and drive up the price for his signature.

Certainly, replacing the 27-year-old will be an incredibly difficult task for the Rams, who must ensure they get every penny they can for him in the event of a sale.

Eustace will no doubt be hoping to reinvest that money back into the squad should Zetterstrom indeed depart, as the Rams prepare to host a bidding war imminently.

What Leeds' opening bid will be remains to be seen, but as Derby waits to learn the Whites' offer, they will no doubt be doing everything in their power to convince Zetterstrom to remain with the Rams instead.