Crystal Palace could receive an offer worth around £5million for David Ozoh as Derby County push to bring the midfielder back to Pride Park permanently.
Ozoh’s Crystal Palace future is approaching a decision after the 21-year-old spent the previous two seasons on loan with the Championship club.
According to Alan Nixon, via Football League World’s report on Derby’s pursuit, Derby are preparing a cash move for Ozoh and a fee of around £5m could be required.
The midfielder made 47 appearances across his two loan spells with the Rams and has become a popular figure at Pride Park. Derby are now keen to turn that relationship into a permanent transfer.
David Ozoh Crystal Palace future faces decision
Ozoh returned to Palace this summer with an opportunity to impress new manager Pierre Sage.
ReadCrystalPalace previously reported that supporters wanted Ozoh to receive a genuine first-team chance rather than immediately sanction another departure.
The midfielder already has significant Championship experience and offers physicality in central areas. However, breaking into Sage’s Premier League midfield would mean competing with the likes of Adam Wharton, Cheick Doucouré and Will Hughes.
Derby can offer something Palace cannot guarantee: regular starts.
Ozoh’s current Palace contract runs until 2027, while the Eagles also possess an option to extend it for another year. That means Palace are under little immediate pressure to accept a cut-price deal.
A £5m permanent transfer would nevertheless represent useful income for an academy graduate who has made only 13 senior appearances for Palace.
The decision now comes down to whether Sage believes Ozoh can become a genuine member of his first-team rotation.
If not, Derby’s interest gives Palace an opportunity to cash in while the midfielder’s stock remains high following two productive seasons in the Championship.
