Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has had an outstanding season with Derby County, and in just his second year in England, he has swiftly established himself as one of the Championship’s most reliable goalkeepers.

The 27-year-old has been an important cog for John Eustace throughout 2025/26, and while an illness held him out of the Rams’ 2-1 away triumph against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday, there is no doubt that he will return to the club once fully healed.

Zetterstrom joined Pride Park in August 2024 for a reputed £1.4 million, and he has shown to be quite the bargain, keeping six league clean sheets this season.

However, as with any player performing well in the Championship, Derby has received Premier League interest in the Swedish international. Alan Nixon reported in the summer that Brentford were interested in the goalkeeper and had lined up a £3.5 million bid, while Nottingham Forest had also looked into the shot-stopper.

Nonetheless, it emerged on Thursday that Zetterstrom has been valued at £15 million, which has relieved those at Pride Park.

The future of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom at Derby County has been decided after a £15 million price tag was established.

The Rams’ first-choice goalkeeper has been vital over the previous year and a half, so it’s not surprising that the club has set such a high asking price for him.

According to Football League World’s Derby Fan Pundit Shaun Woodward, the East Midlands club is unlikely to move Zetterstrom.It is comparable to Patrick Agyemang. Both players are new to the club. The long-term plan is to bring them in and sell them later, but it’s too early to sell them as it puts us in a difficult situation.I believe we can return next season and look again. So, in the long run, I don’t mind them moving on to a bigger club for a reasonable amount, but right now, it’s way too early in their development, our development as a club, and what we’re trying to do at the club by bringing these younger players through and making money off of them.”

Shaun went on to say, “It’s something we haven’t done in a long time, and it’s quite new to us. However, other clubs have done it and been successful. “I think it’s about time we start doing that.”But we have to be firm, maintain our ground, and, as much as it may be tempting to quickly double or treble our investment in these players, I believe we need to just stand our ground, trust the process, and keep them for a little while longer for me.”

Derby County must not sell Jacob Widell Zetterstrom in January.

Zetterstrom, 27, is only going to become better, and with the Rams chasing a playoff spot, he has a chance to elevate his stock in the coming weeks and months.

Derby would be devastated if they sold their number one at this time, with Josh Vickers out injured. Veteran goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell made his debut against Charlton, with youngster Harley Price on the bench.

Eustace would need to find a replacement for potentially two members of his goalkeeping department, and with less than two weeks left in the transfer window, there may not be enough time to find the necessary recruits.

Zetterstrom will only improve with time, and Derby will want to keep him for as long as possible before letting him go, because they will profit handsomely when he does leave.