Crystal Palace has positioned themselves as serious contenders to acquire Derby County striker Patrick Agyemang, as noted by Football Insider’s transfer expert Pete O’Rourke on the Transfer Insider podcast. Although Leeds United had previously been monitoring the 25-year-old American forward, Palace’s involvement complicates Leeds’ pursuit of one of the Championship’s standout players this season.
Crystal Palace Enters Race With Leeds United to Sign Patrick Agyemang From Derby County
According to O’Rourke, Agyemang joined Derby from Charlotte FC in the summer of 2025 for around £7 million, and his value has increased since then. During the 2025/26 Championship season, he has notched up 10 goals and three assists over approximately 2,100 minutes, ranking him among the league’s busiest strikers. O’Rourke pointed out that he shares the top-scorer title with Carlton Morris, forming a potent attacking duo that keeps Derby firmly in playoff contention.
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Agyemang, standing at 6 feet 4 inches, joined Derby following a successful run with the United States Men’s National Team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they reached the finals. He is versatile, capable of playing both wide and centrally. O’Rourke stressed that a strong World Cup performance for the U.S. in the summer, played on home soil, could attract more interest from clubs. Transfermarkt currently values him at €7 million, a figure that likely underrepresents his true worth given his recent form.
Palace is in need of additional attacking options. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s potential departure to AC Milan collapsed due to a failed medical, and he is expected to leave in the summer. Eddie Nketiah’s future is also uncertain. Despite adding Jorgen Strand Larsen, the Eagles are looking for greater depth, and Agyemang fits the profile of a big, adaptable striker who can fill multiple roles.
“Agyemang has had an impressive debut season in England for Derby. With 10 goals and four assists in 33 appearances, Derby invested a significant amount to bring him in last summer, around £7 million, so his current valuation has likely risen. He’s a versatile striker capable of playing in various positions and has truly impressed during his first year at Derby County.”
While Derby doesn’t plan on parting ways with him, if they fail to secure promotion, numerous clubs, including Crystal Palace and Leeds, are likely to consider Agyemang as a target. His performance at the World Cup could further enhance his profile.
Currently, Derby sits eighth in the Championship with 54 points, just outside the playoff spots in a tightly contested table. Under manager John Eustace, they have achieved two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five matches, remaining in the promotion hunt. Although Derby is reluctant to sell their star player, their ability to keep him will depend heavily on their promotion prospects this season.
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Is Patrick Agyemang the Right Target for Leeds United?
HULL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Patrick Agyemang of Derby County inspects the pitch prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Derby County at MKM Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by Tony King/Getty Images)
Leeds United find themselves in an unexpected situation this March, sitting 16th in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone and engaged in a relegation battle with clubs like Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, and West Ham. The fight for survival is intense, making their future uncertain.
The key question: should Leeds structure their summer transfer strategy around staying in the Premier League, or should they prepare for the likely scenario of another relegation?
Agyemang brings much to the table. At 6 feet 4 inches, he provides a physicality that Leeds currently lacks. With a goals-per-90-minute rate of 0.62, he ranks 12th among Championship strikers this season. He also contributes significantly to pressing and drawing defenders out of position, which is crucial for a team like Leeds. Having scored five goals in his first nine international caps for the U.S., his confidence is on the rise. Being only 25 years old and under contract with Derby until 2029, Agyemang has plenty of room for growth as he adapts to English football.
However, there are pressing concerns. Agyemang has yet to compete at the Premier League level, and success in the Championship does not guarantee performance at the higher level, given the pace and intensity involved. His finishing can be inconsistent, and his shot accuracy this season is a modest 37.5 percent. For a striker likely to command over £15 million, those statistics may cause concern.
In my opinion, if Leeds manages to avoid relegation, they should keep a close watch on Agyemang but should hesitate before making an immediate commitment. Crystal Palace appears to be in a better position to pursue him, boasting greater resources and a more established Premier League environment. Leeds would be placing him into a precarious situation if they do manage to stay up.
If Derby fails to reach the playoffs—they are currently three points adrift—holding onto Agyemang will be a challenge. In that case, expect Palace to act decisively, and Leeds will need to make a competitive financial offer if they hope to secure him. A successful World Cup for Agyemang would further inflate his value, possibly beyond Leeds’ budget as they try to rebuild under the pressures of Premier League survival.
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For now, the prudent strategy for Leeds is to remain engaged in the conversation about Agyemang, monitoring his development, while resisting the pressure from Palace to overcommit during the summer transfer window.