John Eustace can ease Derby County’s David Ozoh blow with Wrexham AFC transfer hijack | OneFootball

Derby County should have their eyes set on beating out Wrexham in the pursuit of Ethan Galbraith this summer

Derby County's first full season under John Eustace was a success, as the Rams pushed their play-off race all the way to the final day, and were actually in the top six momentarily on that day, too.

While Derby have ambitions of returning towards being one of the top teams in the division, the fact that it came two years into their return after a couple of seasons in League One, and one year on from a relegation near-miss, is quite ahead of schedule.

But now, with a taste of what it feels like to be on the cusp of the play-offs, and the fact that the postseason expands to six teams next year, many at Pride Park will be hoping that the Rams can use this past year as a base to kick on from.

Unfortunately, they're going to have to do it without some of their key performers from the past year. Derby used the loan market to perfection, with the likes of Sammie Szmodics and Jaydon Banel pitching in with important goals late on in the campaign after arriving in January, and Ben Brereton Diaz, Bobby Clark and David Ozoh all playing key parts across the entire term.

Derby County should target Ethan Galbraith to replace the outgoing David Ozoh

Ozoh is set to return to Crystal Palace this summer, and he could have a long-term future at Selhurst Park, bringing an end to his two-year stint at Pride Park.

The 21-year-old had a torrid time in his first year with Derby, going down to numerous injuries throughout the campaign and making just 10 Championship appearances in the midst of it all.

This past year has been different for the defensive midfielder, though, as he's found his fitness and maintained it for large parts of the year. He played a part in every league game from the FA Cup third round to the end of the season, starting the majority of them and playing a big part in Derby's strong second half of the campaign.

Losing him would be difficult, but it should prompt the Rams to pursue someone they can call their own in the engine room to partner Lewis Travis, and Swansea City's Ethan Galbraith could tick all the boxes.

The versatile Northern Irishman has had a brilliant debut campaign in South Wales after signing from Leyton Orient in the summer. Galbraith was one of the top stars in the O's underdog run to the League One play-off final in the 2024/25 campaign, who commanded a £1.5 million fee from the Swans.

Despite signing a three-year deal with Swansea last summer, Vitor Matos' side looked to offer him improved terms towards the end of the season - terms which Galbraith has ultimately rejected.

There's still plenty of time on his current deal, but such a firm dismissal of the extension could open the door to other clubs to come in and offer closer to what the 25-year-old is hoping for.

With Galbraith able to slot in at the heart of the midfield, in a more attacking sense or even at right-back, he's someone that most clubs should be eager to add to their side, especially if he begins to grow discontented at his current club.

Derby County could strike the first blow against Wrexham in promotion pursuit with Ethan Galbraith interest

The contract stalemate between Galbraith and Swansea has led to Wrexham keeping an eye on the situation, according to recent reports from Wales Online, alongside some Premier League clubs, too.

If the Rams can get in ahead of Phil Parkinson's side and tempt Galbraith to leave Wales for Derbyshire, not only would it bolster their midfield options, but it would simultaneously strike a blow to one of their nearest promotion challengers from the past season.

If the play-offs had been expanded to six teams in 2025/26, both Wrexham and Derby would have landed in the new positions, as they finished seventh and eighth, respectively, so they'll both have eyes on improving to either maintain those positions or do even better.

The Rams will need to find upgrades this summer for several roles due to their high-performing players mainly being on loan or, in Patrick Agyemang's case, likely not to see the pitch until 2027 due to long-term injury.

Galbraith would easily add quality alongside cover in numerous other positions if players suffer injury throughout the campaign.

And, with the possibility of ruining the transfer pursuit of one of their nearest rivals, it has to be an opportunity for Derby to take advantage of.