Derby County goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom had a wonderful game for Sweden against France.
Derby County goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom's stock has risen considerably.
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Leeds United could be set to ramp up their chase for Derby County goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom after Illan Meslier closed in on a move to Arsenal.
Meslier has completed a medical with the Gunners and agreed personal terms on a move to the Emirates, which will be a free transfer.
Leeds will sign a replacement for the Frenchman who lost his place to Karl Darlow last season after some high-profile mistakes.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Zetterstrom is understood to be a player of interest to Leeds boss Daniel Farke and Meslier's departure could spark movement.
Zetterstrom's stock has risen considerably since signing from Djurgarden in the summer of 2024 having established himself as one of the best goalkeepers outside of the Premier League.
And he announced himself at the World Cup this summer with two impressive performances against Japan and then France as Sweden bowed out in the last 32 of the competition.
Zetterstrom has been given extra time off by Derby following his exertions with the club mindful that he is not had a break since the end of the Championship season.
He is expected to link back up with the squad for the pre-season tour of Austria unless Leeds firm up their interest in the 26-year-old.
Zetterstrom's value has soared since his arrival in England having been previously been scouted by Wolves until Derby nipped in to sign him.
Derby have already been linked with two goalkeepers this summer with Anthony Patterson of Sunderland said to be of interest although his pricetag that is close to £10m may prove excessive.
Yesterday, Gavin Bazunu of Southampton was also reported as a target. Bazunu is an Irish international and spent the second half of last season on loan at Stoke City where he made six appearances.
The 24-year-old was on the books of Manchester City in the early part of his career after joining the former Premier League champions from Shamrock Rovers.
Loan spells at Rochdale and Portsmouth followed before he sealed a move to Saints for a fee of £12m in 2022.
He featured for the club in the Premier League but suffered an Achilles injury that sidelined him for months. A switch to Standard Liege in Belgium then followed, but that was cut short by a knee injury.
Bazunu then joined Stoke, but injuries again restricted him to six appearances.
Leigh Curtis says: Zetterstrom's success was always going to lead to speculation, heightened by his performances in the World Cup, which have now established him as Sweden's number one. Derby may find it hard to resist an offer that is suitable if it can be reinvested into the team, given there are other areas of the squad that do need significant attention.
If an eight-figure offer came Derby's way, it would be hard to turn down, but the club has always aimed to develop talent that could either help with their ambitions on the pitch or make a profit on them. Every player has a price.
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Derby Telegraph's Derby County writer, Leigh Curtis
Derby Telegraph's Derby County writer, Leigh Curtis
The transfer window is now open, the signings are being linked and players could be heading for the exit door at Pride Park as it promises to be a pre-season of change at the club.
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