Derby County are closing in on the signing of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom this summer and the goalkeeper recently spoke about rumours of his impending move to Pride Park.
The Rams have done some excellent business already in the transfer window as head coach Paul Warne looks to keep his side in the Championship next season. The Derbyshire outfit have made six signings so far this summer, including bringing Ebou Adams back to the club following his successful loan stint in the second half of the previous campaign.
Alongside Adams, Derby County have acquired two other midfielders. AZ Alkmaar star Kenzo Goudmijn was brought to the club, while former Sheffield United star Ben Osborn was also signed as a free agent following his contract expiring at Bramall Lane, although he can also operate in a number of different positions, including as a left-back.
Nevertheless, one area that the club desperately need to strengthen is the goalkeeping department. Last season’s first-choice shot-stopper Joe Wildsmith was released from the club at the end of his contract and he subsequently moved to West Bromwich Albion. Meanwhile, veteran keeper Scott Loach announced his retirement from football this summer, leaving Josh Vickers as the only goalie in the squad.
Derby have been in the market to find a new man between the sticks and the latest reports have suggested that the club are close to signing Djurgardens star Zetterstrom. It was first revealed by Swedish outlet Aftonbladet that the Rams had submitted a bid for the Swede which was swiftly rejected but journalist Anel Avdic stated on Tuesday that the club had agreed a £1.4 million fee with the Allsvenskan side for his signature.
However, when asked in a recent interview with Fotboll Direkt about his move to Pride Park, the 26-year-old admitted that playing in England is his dream but that he didn’t know too much about the prospective switch [quotes via Derby County News]:
“England is the country of dreams, I’ve followed English football all my life.
“I know as little as you do, I have full focus here. That’s all I have to say.”
Writer’s View
Derby County are preparing to take on Blackburn Rovers on the opening day of the campaign at Ewood Park in just over two weeks and Warne will want to have a goalkeeper brought in by then to be involved in the starting lineup.
Zetterstrom could be the perfect acquisition. He is at the ideal age for a keeper and has a tremendous record in Sweden, conceding just 12 goals in 14 appearances. Additionally, he boasts a market value of £2.1 million, as per Transfermarkt, meaning the Rams are set to sign him for £700,000 under his potential valuation which is an astute piece of business.
