Breaking: Derby County reportedly beats Championship trio to signing of 19-year-old Premier League midfielder.

Derby County have emerged as the favourites to sign Crystal Palace starlet David Ozoh on a season-long loan, according to Edmund Brack of the South London Press.

Derby County have added five new faces to their ranks already this summer ahead of their return to the Championship, and Paul Warne now looks set to add a sixth.

In fact, after his side’s 1-0 preseason success over Stockport County, the Rams’ boss told BBC Radio Derby that a new midfielder was on the way.

The midfielder in question might be Ozoh, according to football reporter Brack, who added that the East Midlands club is currently in pole position to sign the 19-year-old ahead of their second-tier opponents, who have also expressed interest.

Luton Town reportedly intended to recruit the teenager permanently, while Plymouth Argyle was interested in a loan deal.

Cardiff City were also suggested to be keen on a deal according to fellow football reporter Darren Witcoop, though it now appears that it is Derby who have won the race.

The defensive midfielder made 13 appearances for the Eagles last season, particularly impressing in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.

Warne has previously stated that he wanted to add three or four more midfielders to his squad this season following the arrival of Kenzo Goudmijn.

Ebou Adams returned to the club on a permanent deal on Wednesday, meaning that there could still be another couple of midfield additions set to follow Ozoh through the doors at Pride Park in the near future.

Goudmijn and Adams join Liam Thompson and Tyrese Fornah as Derby’s midfield options, and other summer arrival Ben Osborn has also played in the middle of the park during preseason.

The freshly promoted side released Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith, who have since joined Barnsley and Cambridge United, as well as loanee Max Bird, who has returned to Bristol City, so an overhaul was always expected.

It would be a massive boost towards not only rebuilding, but upgrading the Rams’ midfield department should they get the Ozoh deal over the line.

At this point, the five new arrivals are Osborn, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates, Goudmijn, and Adams, with four of them being permanent deals and Yates being signed on loan.

Louie Sibley, Joe Wildsmith, Smith, and Hourihane have all left the club as free agents, joining Oxford United, West Brom, Cambridge, and Barnsley, respectively.

Dwight Gayle and Martyn Waghorn were also released but have yet to find new teams, whilst Loach announced his retirement following the expiration of his contract at Pride Park.

There may be a few more outgoings if Warne does sign the Palace youth, but Derby County will undoubtedly have a busy summer anyway.