Official: Malcolm Ebiowei joins on five-year deal

[Stinger1]

Manchester United and Newcastle join the race to sign Tottenham and Crystal Palace target Malcolm Ebiowei after the Derby starlet impressed under Wayne Rooney

• Derby starlet Malcolm Ebiowei is wanted by a host of top-flight club this summer
• United and Newcastle have joined Spurs and Crystal Palace in the transfer race
• Ebiowei's emergence was one of the only bright spots of Derby's poor season
• The 18-year-old's short-term deal at the relegated club will expire next month

Derby starlet Malcolm Ebiowei is at the centre of a four-way battle as he edges closer to a decision on his future.

Manchester United and Newcastle have joined Tottenham and Crystal Palace by showing interest in the exciting 18 year-old attacker.

Ebiowei's emergence was one of the bright spots of Derby's season which ended with relegation to League One following their brave fight to beat the drop after being hit with a 21-point deduction.

But his short-term deal expires next month and Ebiowei, who has played for England and Holland at youth level, is set to leave the Pride Park club.

Previously in the academies of Arsenal and Rangers, Ebiowei, predominantly a winger who has also played through the middle, joined Derby last year.

He spent the first half of the campaign in the Rams' youth setup, scoring seven times in seven under-18 appearances and also featuring for their U23s.

Ebiowei then became one of the youngsters Wayne Rooney turned to during Derby's relegation fight.

He shone when he stepped up from youth football and was given his first taste of senior action, making 16 appearances during the second half of the season.

Following one of his eye-catching displays at Coventry, Rooney said: 'He has got enormous ability. 'He's brave, he's not afraid to take players on, get tackled, and make mistakes.

'I thought he was excellent all game. He was the best player on the pitch. It is one of the best performances I have seen from a young player consistently for 90 minutes in a long time and he deserves that because he's worked so hard. His attitude is incredible and he's an exciting young player.'

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[cpfcfan1]

Newcastle -sigh- going to be boring hearing their name all summer

[Martin H]

His Championship highlights look promising. I had seen his youth stuff before but TBH his first team performance looks probably even better. Big guy, confident and with a good left foot.

[1905]

Originally Posted by cpfcfan1

Newcastle -sigh- going to be boring hearing their name all summer

Hopefully our transfer targets will keep their heads this Sumer

[joyce the voice]

Originally Posted by 1905

Hopefully our transfer targets will keep their heads this Sumer

I don't usually find puns funny, but I like this one

[Palace43]

Very similar play style to Rak-Sakyi but has proven his worth in a competitive men’s league. No doubt even though he’s out of contract, there’ll have to be a deal in place due to his age, could a Rak-Sakyi loan the other way soften the blow? Or do we want to keep JRS in the first team or have him on loan to a higher league?

[Big Blue Eagle]

Originally Posted by Palace43

Very similar play style to Rak-Sakyi but has proven his worth in a competitive men’s league. No doubt even though he’s out of contract, there’ll have to be a deal in place due to his age, could a Rak-Sakyi loan the other way soften the blow? Or do we want to keep JRS in the first team or have him on loan to a higher league?

Don’t think there will be a fee, he only joined Derby a year ago from Rangers where he was also only there for a year or so, he was featured in the recent documentary series about South London football. He was at a freelance Academy.

[Ticehurst]

JRS should be playing at a higher level then div 1 next season. Championship, but I think he will be in PVs plans.

[Big Blue Eagle]

Originally Posted by Palace43

Very similar play style to Rak-Sakyi but has proven his worth in a competitive men’s league. No doubt even though he’s out of contract, there’ll have to be a deal in place due to his age, could a Rak-Sakyi loan the other way soften the blow? Or do we want to keep JRS in the first team or have him on loan to a higher league?

He’s out of contract, there is no blow to soften. Also, personally, I don’t think JRS should be heading to L1. If he can’t get a Championship loan, with lots of playing time, then he should stay put - and I suspect he will anyway.

[Palace43]

Originally Posted by Big Blue Eagle

He’s out of contract, there is no blow to soften. Also, personally, I don’t think JRS should be heading to L1. If he can’t get a Championship loan, with lots of playing time, then he should stay put - and I suspect he will anyway.

Yes he is out of contract but I imagine we’ll have to pay a fee if Derby have offered a contract equal or higher to his original terms.

As per the rules. My question is could a JRS loan be part of that fee.

Edit: Just seen your post before that, I think even if he’s only been there a year, the rule still applies, as Derby have contributed to a year of his development. But it would mean that the fee would be a lot lower.

For what it’s worth, I think we should be keeping JRS on in the first team.

[Big Blue Eagle]

Originally Posted by Palace43

Yes he is out of contract but I imagine we’ll have to pay a fee if Derby have offered a contract equal or higher to his original terms.

As per the rules. My question is could a JRS loan be part of that fee.

Edit: Just seen your post before that, I think even if he’s only been there a year, the rule still applies, as Derby have contributed to a year of his development. But it would mean that the fee would be a lot lower.

For what it’s worth, I think we should be keeping JRS on in the first team.

Yes, he’s an interesting one, it’s worth finding the South Of The River doc on ITV or BT if it’s still available, he is featured quite heavily prior to joining Rangers. He was seemingly released by Rangers so no fee for Derby to pay? After that, just under one season at Derby so very little comp. if Derby have offered a contract - but are they still in Admin? In which case they can’t offer one I think.

[Ralph]

Watched him a few times and didn’t stand out…however I thought he was about 25 and just a duff League One player…knowing he was only 18 or maybe even 17 when I saw him is phenomenal

[AJ]

Originally Posted by Palace43

Very similar play style to Rak-Sakyi but has proven his worth in a competitive men’s league. No doubt even though he’s out of contract, there’ll have to be a deal in place due to his age, could a Rak-Sakyi loan the other way soften the blow? Or do we want to keep JRS in the first team or have him on loan to a higher league?

Better to let them have Plange for another year as he would benefit from playing at a lower level at his age.

[Big Blue Eagle]

Originally Posted by AJ

Better to let them have Plange for another year as he would benefit from playing at a lower level at his age.

Why would he benefit from playing at a level below that which he has already delivered goals and assists?

[Eddie McGoldrick's tash]

Originally Posted by Big Blue Eagle

Why would he benefit from playing at a level below that which he has already delivered goals and assists?

From speaking to a couple of Derby fans up here, they think his level is probably League One and that they might try to loan him again next season.

If he can get a Championship loan at Coventry it might be preferable but I don't think he'd have played regularly for Derby if they weren't broke and could afford better options.

Hopefully he is involved in our pre-season and the staff get a proper look at him before any decision is made. But if we aren't planning to use him much then a loan to Championship/ League one who would use him regularly would probably be better for him than the Under 23 football.

[Jim Cannon]

Originally Posted by Big Blue Eagle

Why would he benefit from playing at a level below that which he has already delivered goals and assists?

He will not be loaned to play in League 1 unless the club are idiots

[Eddie McGoldrick's tash]

Originally Posted by Jim Cannon

He will not be loaned to play in League 1 unless the club are idiots

It's not impossible. If we don't plan to use him and we dont get offers that would give him regular Championship football.

By all accounts he struggled in the Championship in the last few months.

[Jim Cannon]

Originally Posted by Eddie McGoldrick's tash

From speaking to a couple of Derby fans up here, they think his level is probably League One and that they might try to loan him again next season.

With respect, the club clearly think differently to a couple of Derby fans otherwise they wouldn't have bothered signing him. Whether he makes it here, remains to be seen, but the club have obviously seen something in him

[Eddie McGoldrick's tash]

Originally Posted by Jim Cannon

With respect, the club clearly think differently to a couple of Derby fans otherwise they wouldn't have bothered signing him. Whether he makes it here, remains to be seen, but the club have obviously seen something in him

I'm sure they still back him and their research. With good reason. But football changes and he undoubtedly lost form after we signed him.

A loan to play regularly at the best possible level could still be best for him next season and that wouldn't mean we don't still think he will be a good long term prospect. Those things aren't mutually exclusive.

League one might his level at the moment and he may well still come good at a Premier League club too.

[Stinger1]

Originally Posted by Jim Cannon

He will not be loaned to play in League 1 unless the club are idiots

He's only 19 and hardly set the world on fire in the Championship last season so I'm not sure why that would make the club idiots.