Paul Warne played a straight bat over Derby County’s pursuit of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom amid reports that the goalkeeper travelled to England this week to undergo a medical.
The Rams are hopeful of sealing a move for the Djurgarden star in a deal that is reportedly worth around £1.4m.
It was claimed on Sunday that Zetterstrom was due to fly to the UK on Monday to complete the formalities of the switch which would end Derby’s long pursuit for a new number one this summer. But Zetterstrom is likely to be involved in Djurgarden’s Europa League Conference clash against Progres tonight and the club’s sporting director Bosse Andersson also expects him to feature against Goteburg on Sunday.
Asked for an update and if there was any truth to the claims in Swedish media about Zetterstrom’s flight to England, Warne said: “We are no closer unfortunately and it’s obviously a position we need to strengthen like a few others.
“I haven’t got anything exciting to tell you. Has he been to England? That’s typical. I lose players all the time. If he has been somewhere else and I didn’t know then that’s disappointing!
“Hopefully he’s had a nice holiday and if he has come over the weather has been good.”
Derby County are back in the Championship after basking in the glory of promotion and the excitement around Pride Park continues to grow ahead of the big kick-off.
With the season’s opener at Blackburn just around the corner, Rams fans are wondering what the campaign will hold now they are back in the second tier.
Armed with five new signings and more to come before the window closes, Derby’s squad will have a new-look come August 9. We’ve already been treated to glimpses of Kenzo Goudmijn’s flair in the centre of midfield while new front pair Jerry Yates and Kayden Jackson are both off the mark in pre-season.
Ebou Adams is back and patrolling midfield with the tenacity and aggression that made him such a huge hit last season. And Ben Osborn has secured an emotional homecoming to Pride Park, the club he grew up watching on the terraces.
In a league that contains some big punchers in Leeds and Sheffield United, there are some blockbusting fixtures to look forward to.
And with the Rams set to be backed by legions of black and white as they return to some familiar destinations, it is a season that promises plenty of excitement.
It is a great time to be a Derby fan and to celebrate the feelgood factor around Pride Park we’ve produced our Derby County 2024-25 Kick Off special, our brilliant guide to the new season.
Our man at Pride Park, Leigh Curtis, will assess the season ahead and what lies in store for a club that is back on the up under owner David Clowes.
Our club-by-club guides give you the lowdown on Derby’s Championship rivals and the managers in the division, while our away days pages will tell you all you need to know about the grounds the Rams will be visiting.
With a full fixture list and key dates for the campaign, Derby County’s 2024-25 Kick-Off will get you back in perfect match shape in time for the opening day clash at Blackburn on August 9.
