Derby County have been handed a major boost amid reports that former loanee David Ozoh could be set to leave Crystal Palace permanently this summer.
Matt Woosnam of The Athletic reported that Ozoh -- who spent the 2024/25 and 2025/26 campaigns on loan with Derby -- is 'more likely to leave' Crystal Palace on a permanent deal than break into the first team under the stewardship of new manager Pierre Sage.
Woosnam emphasised that a move 'back to Derby' can't be ruled out, though they can expect competition for the 21-year-old if the Eagles set a 'for sale' stance.
Middlesbrough had been linked with a move for Ozoh in the event that Palace signed Hayden Hackney, but these reports have been downplayed following Hackney's £16.5m switch to Everton.
Ozoh's start to life at Pride Park was by no means smooth sailing, ruled out for the majority of the 2024/25 Championship campaign with respective hamstring and thigh injuries.
The midfielder's lack of availability didn't put Derby off the midfielder by the time that the 2025 summer transfer window had come round however, with the Rams opting to extend Ozoh's loan by a further season.
Both the East Midlands outfit and Ozoh enjoyed a much-improved 2025/26 season.
While the midfielder was sidelined for six weeks with a reoccurring thigh injury, he featured on 33 occasions in the Championship and proved vital under the stewardship of John Eustace as the club narrowly missed out on a play-off spot.
Derby's only addition so far this summer has seen Bobby Clark return to the club in a permanent deal worth £6m following a successful 2025/26 loan spell. Could Ozoh follow suit?
