Ipswich Town twist emerges in Derby County transfer deal to sign Patrick Agyemang | OneFootball

Derby County were thought to be close to securing the signing of Patrick Agyemang, but they are not the only club in contention.

Derby County were reportedly close to securing the signing of United States international Patrick Agyemang from Charlotte FC, but they are not the only club in contention, with Ipswich Town said to be in the running too.

The 24-year-old striker has five goals in just nine appearances for the US national team, and has become a consistent goalscorer in the Major League Soccer (MLS) as well.

He was reportedly nearing a move to Pride Park, in what would have been a real transfer coup for the Rams.

However, it has now emerged that one of Derby's divisional rivals are also in the running - and they have the funds to outmuscle County if they please.

Ipswich Town join Derby County in Patrick Agyemang transfer race

Journalist Fabrizio Romano took to his X account in the early hours of Wednesday to reveal Derby were “closing in” on a deal for Charlotte FC striker Agyemang.

He added that Agyemang had already given the “green light” to the move despite still being at the Gold Cup with the United States, with talks between the clubs now underway.

The attacker would become County’s first signing of the summer if he made the switch, as the Rams look to replace the numerous players that exited the club at the end of the most recent season - Luton Town's Carlton Morris is also reportedly set to sign for the club in what would be a statement of intent.

A curveball has emerged though in the form of Ipswich Town, as according to GIVEMESPORT's USA reporter Tom Bogert, a deal isn't as close as reported with Derby and Agyemang, and the Tractor Boys are very much in the running to sign the 24-year-old.

Town lost Liam Delap to Chelsea earlier this summer in a £30 million deal and are looking for fresh striker additions, and they appear to be interested in Agyemang's services, handing Derby a significant issue as they look to get a deal over the line.

Derby County may now struggle to land Patrick Agyemang deal with Ipswich Town's presence

Agyemang has netted six goals across 16 MLS appearances so far in the 2025 season, missing only two games due to his USA involvements, and has seen a number of clubs reportedly show interest already this summer.

In the most recent round of Gold Cup fixtures, he found the back of the net against both Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago, and is looking like one of Mauricio Pochettino's leading men in attack.

The 24-year-old is in red-hot form at club level too, with four goals across his last four games with Dean Smith-managed Charlotte, and it's no surprise that English clubs are keeping tabs.

He scored ten goals in last season’s MLS, following a term in the third tier of American soccer with Crown Legacy FC - Charlotte's reserve side, and since his exploits further down the American system in 2023, Agyemang has grown to become a mainstay at the top level under former Norwich City and Aston Villa boss Smith.

Loanee Jerry Yates, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Kemar Roofe are among the attacking players that have left Pride Park this summer, with reinforcements now seemingly being sought by Derby.

Though, it is no done deal that County will be the team that signs Agyemang if he does leave Charlotte this summer. As well as Ipswich, GIVEMESPORT also reported that Belgian outfit Genk are keen to secure a move for the striker.

The Connecticut-born forward looks to be in the middle of a transfer saga when he's involved in a big international competition, and there's simply no way of knowing which way he will be heading just yet, but Derby's task has been certainly made harder.