"Paul Warne's at it again" - Pundit reacts with Derby County set to seal Crystal Palace agreement | OneFootball

Derby County are reportedly closing in on the loan signing of Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh.

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes it is a positive sign for Derby County that they are set to beat the likes of Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle to the loan signing of Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh.

The South London Press revealed last week that the Rams were in pole position to win the race for Ozoh, fighting off competition from their two Championship rivals.

Luton were believed to be keen to sign Ozoh on a permanent basis, while Plymouth were looking to bring him in on loan, but he is set to complete a temporary move to Pride Park.

Ozoh became Palace's youngest ever Premier League debutant when he came on as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in January 2023, and he has since gone on to make 13 senior appearances for the club.

The 19-year-old, who has previously featured for England at youth level, is expected to become Derby's sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Ben Osborn, Kenzo Goudmijn, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates and Ebou Adams as they prepare for life back in the second tier.

Carlton Palmer reacts as Derby County close in on David Ozoh signing

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that Derby should be encouraged that they are able to beat the likes of Luton and Plymouth to a player of Ozoh's talent, and he predicted the Rams will have a strong season in the Championship under Warne's guidance next term.

"Paul Warne's at it again, Derby County are believed to be closing in on making exciting Crystal Palace gem David Ozoh their sixth summer signing," Palmer said.

"This is a positive sign for Derby, it doesn't surprise me, I'm a big fan of Paul Warne and Richie Barker, they are great at working with young players.

"They have already snapped up the likes of Jerry Yates, Kayden Jackson, Ben Osborn, Kenzo Goudmijn and Ebou Adams this summer.

"They need to bolster their squad as Paul Warne released a number of key players over the summer, and there's a big gulf between League One and the Championship, so you don't often get players that can make the step up. "Paul Warne, who knows the game very well, and Richie Barker, have moved players out and are bringing players in. "They are wanting to boost their attacking options and they've snapped up three midfield players already. "Derby have beaten off competition from a number of clubs to sign Ozoh, including relegated Luton. "He's a very, very talented player, he was Palace's youngest-ever debutant in the Premier League at 17 years of age, and he's since racked up 11 senior appearances. "The 19-year-old was hailed as gifted by previous manager Patrick Vieira. "Derby will still want to bring in some experience, but they will also hope that Ozoh, like so many players who have left Palace and gone on loan before, will come up trumps. "Palace will be hoping that he lights up the Championship with Derby, and I have no doubt that he will do this.

"I think it has been a positive summer for Derby, and I expect them to do well again, as I always do under Paul Warne and Richie Barker."

David Ozoh deal underlines Paul Warne pulling power

Palmer is right that the imminent signing of Ozoh is a coup for Derby, and he will be another impressive addition for the Rams this summer.

Ozoh had interest from other Championship clubs, including Luton, who are likely to be among the promotion favourites next season, but the fact he has chosen to come to Pride Park is a big endorsement of Warne's project.

The likes of Osborn, Jackson and Yates will surely have had offers from elsewhere in the second tier too, so despite the Rams being a newly-promoted club, Warne clearly has considerable pulling power.

With Conor Hourihane, Korey Smith and Louie Sibley departing this summer, Derby were in desperate need of midfield reinforcements, and Ozoh will be a much-needed younger option in a squad with a high average age.