Leeds United & Wolves will have fresh transfer hope after Derby County update | OneFootball

A domino effect of transfer plans could potentially be taking place at Pride Park

After narrowly missing out on a place in last season's Championship play-offs, the off-season has been one of optimism amongst Derby County supporters that the club can indeed push forward in 2026/27.

In recent years, the Rams have come back from the brink under the extremely shrewd control of owner and lifelong supporter, David Clowes, and they now believe they can soon end an 18-year exile from the Premier League.

As well as having Clowes at the top of the hierarchy at Pride Park, in John Eustace, the East Midlands side have a head coach who is vastly experienced in the Championship in recent years, having firmly silenced any critics from his previous stints at Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers.

The 46-year-old was able to help the club retain its Championship status on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign before finishing eighth last term, which would now ensure a play-off place given the post-season lottery's expansion.

While takeover talk continues to rumble on behind-the-scenes, Derby fans were given further belief when Bobby Clark completed his permanent switch from RB Salzburg last month.

However, one of their other key performers has continued to earn admirers at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and now those feats have been coupled with a potential domino effect in the market.

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has built on Derby County success at FIFA World Cup 2026

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Indeed, upon the club's return to the Championship two summers ago, Derby moved to acquire the services of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom for just £1.4m from Swedish Allsvenskan outfit, Djurgardens IF.

It has proven to be one of the smartest pieces of business in the club's recent history, with the 27-year-old earning rave reviews for his upward trajectory at Pride Park, and even beforehand.

After recording 37 clean sheets in less than 90 appearances for his previous employers, Zetterstrom's influence on Derby's survival in 2024/25 could not be understated, as in a side which was renowned for defensive solidity above all else, conceding just 56 goals, which was the second-best figure in the Championship's bottom half that term.

His second season in England would not be quite as straightforward, though, as he was limited to 33 appearances in all competitions through a 'mystery illness', but still kept seven clean sheets and was subsequently named in Graham Potter's squad for the World Cup.

After seeing former Swansea City shot-stopper, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, initially keep goal, Zetterstrom was drafted in for the crucial 1-1 draw against Japan in Group F, as well as the 3-0 loss to 2022 finalists, France, at the round of 32 stage.

Despite the loss, Zetterstrom initially impressed before Les Bleus took the lead, and such developments come after Fabrizio Romano revealed that all of Leeds United, Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolves - who had previously tracked his services - are interested in striking a deal.

At present, the keeper is under contract at Pride Park until next June, which makes this transfer saga intriguing enough, and that has only been added to in a fresh turn of events.

Derby County's interest in Gavin Bazunu could offer Leeds United and Wolves fresh transfer hope

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It has since been claimed that, with Derby bracing themselves for offers for Zetterstrom, they have set their sights on a move for Southampton's Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu.

The 24-year-old hasn't exactly had a smooth ride at St Mary's since joining from Manchester City for £12m four years ago, despite being a part of the play-off winning side under Russell Martin.

Even last season, which ended in controversy for Saints through Spygate, Bazunu was fancied by Will Still, but after Tonda Eckert's appointment, the Irishman was displaced by Alex McCarthy, who has since left the club, and was sent out on loan to Stoke City following the initial loan signing of Daniel Peretz.

Peretz has since moved to Hampshire permanently, while Aaron Ramsdale is still expected to depart himself after George Long also joined on a long-term basis from Norwich City.

However, after an uncertain career period, Bazunu will likely be hoping for regular guaranteed minutes, and the only feasible way that is set to come in the East Midlands is if, or when, Zetterstrom's anticipated exit is confirmed.