Derby County are looking to complete their seventh signing of the summer in Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
The Rams have already brought in three new midfielders and two strikers, but are yet to replace Joe Wildsmith after his shock release.
However, they have been working very hard to get a goalkeeper in and have reportedly already agreed a fee for Widell Zetterstrom.
It is thought that Derby County agreed a £1.4m deal with Djurgardens IF almost two weeks ago, while he has even undergone his medical at Moor Farm.
Despite that, the Rams could still be forced to wait weeks until they can confirm the shot-stopper’s arrival.
Djurgardens director Bosse Andersson has now explained when Widell Zetterstrom could finally complete his switch to Pride Park.
Widell Zetterstrom will join Derby County before August 29
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, he said: “Negotiations have been going on for a couple of weeks and when there is a transfer, there are discussions between the clubs. Jacob has had a fantastic spring and has been an important player during the summer. Then it is clear that they have discussed when the transition will take place and the conditions.
“We agree on the terms and the question is when he will leave. We want him to leave after our European Cup game, no later than August 29. Partly because we will have time to find a replacement, partly because we have a need to have Scandinavia’s best goalkeeper when we are in an important part of the season with the Allsvenskan and games in Europe.
“Then the Championship starts on Friday for Derby. Jacob has been on site and had a medical examination and met the club. What we don’t quite agree on is when the transition should take place. We are planning for Jacob to play today (against IFK Gothenburg, Sunday) and he will play the European Cup matches against Tampere (Ilves). That is the dialogue we have.
“The transition will certainly happen, but not tomorrow. It will happen later and that is what we are discussing. A club waiting for something good will have to wait a bit.”
The delay puts the Rams’ in a very vulnerable position
Derby could sign the 26-year-old as soon as 16th August after their second leg clash with Ilves, though that is still two weeks away.
The Rams are clearly committed to making the deal work, but it is a still a huge concern that the Championship outfit could go three or four matches without a first choice ‘keeper.
They are set to face Blackburn, Chesterfield, Middlesbrough and Watford before Andersson’s deadline of August 29.
Derby will have to give opportunity to Josh Vickers in between the sticks, having failed to impress during the preseason campaign.
It’s not the end of the world for the Rams, but it still puts a lot of pressure on the deal, as they could be in big trouble if they reach the final days of the transfer window and Vickers is their only senior goalie.