Derby County edge closer to statement deal with medical scheduled

Derby County are closing on the deal for Patrick Agyemang with the striker set to undergo a medical, as per Derbyshire Live.

Derby County are looking to enjoy a vastly improved 2025/26 campaign after just about surviving last time around. DCFC took it to the final day in their fight for safety, and narrowly won said battle.

The Rams have higher ambitions with John Eustace at the helm though, and it seems they’re intent on backing him this summer.

It has been widely reported that the Pride Park club have won the race to sign American striker Patrick Agyemang. The Charlotte FC star also had interest from Ipswich Town and clubs on the continent, but the Rams managed to get a deal in place.

Now, as per a fresh update from Derbyshire Live, Derby County are set to move on step closer to confirming Agyemang as their player.

The 24-year-old striker is set to undergo a medical with the club within the next 24 hours, it is said. DCFC have medical staff out in the United States and it is said that it is a matter of when, rather than if, Agyemang is finalised as a new player for Eustace.

The fee has been widely reported as a total of £7.2m including add-ons, with Charlotte also retaining a sell-on clause.

A big signing for Derby County

Derby County are well and truly leaving their years of financial turmoil behind them with this latest expensive deal. Decent fees were shelled out for the likes of Sondre Langas and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom last season, but the Agyemang deal comfortably eclipses those.

It marks a statement signing because of the clubs DCFC have had to beat to land him, but it is also serves as a strong indictor of how much they believe in Eustace.

The former Blackburn Rovers boss has been provided with a big striker asset who will hopefully come in and be a success right off the bat. If he is, it might not take long for clubs higher up the leagues to circle.

Is the move for Patrick Agyemang a gamble?

Despite being 24, Agyemang is still a developing player. The setup of American football means he was playing at college level while some in leagues in other countries break through at a far younger age.

As such, there have been some reservations over the technical ability of Agyemang, and the Championship will certainly test how well rounded out his game is.

However, despite only making 59 MLS appearances to date, the Derby County target has been a success in that time, registering 17 goals and four assists. His record of five goals in 12 USMNT outings makes for good reading too.

In short, DCFC are taking a risk by putting such faith and spending big money on Agyemang, but there would be a sizeable upside if he comes in and finds swift form with the Rams.

Birmingham and Southampton target set for £1.3m transfer as club confirm ‘agreement’

A defender reportedly on the radar of Championship trio Sheffield United, Southampton and Birmingham City is on the verge of completing a transfer to the tune of just £1.3 million.

But England’s second tier, it seems, will not be his destination.

Ambitious Birmingham City snapped up Celtic icon Kyogo Furuhashi last week, arguably the most eye-catching addition of the summer window so far in the Championship. Demarai Gray has also returned to St Andrews after a spell in Saudi Arabia, while Kanya Fujimoto adds to a growing collection of East Asian talent in the Second City.

Southampton signed striker Damion Downs from Cologne on Wednesday. USA international Downs is their second signing of the Will Still era, and their second to arrive from Germany after ex-Hoffenheim defender Joshua Quarshie.

Sheffield United could bring in Mihail Polendakov, meanwhile; potentially their second new face from Bulgarian football after Ehije Ukaki.

Do not be surprised if The Blades step up their pursuit of Septembri Sofia starlet Polendakov either. Because, after links with Southampton and Birmingham City as well as last season’s beaten play-off finalists, Joe Mendes is set to take his touchline-treading talents to Turkey instead.

Joe Mendes is not joining Birmingham City, Southampton or Sheffield United

Swedish publication Expressen reported a week ago that no fewer than five clubs were holding discussions around Braga wideman Joe Mendes. Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin had had talks, alongside three of the Championship’s pre-season promotion favourites.

The fifth club, meanwhile, were Turkish outfit Samsunspor.