Derby County eye €5m-rated winger Philip Otele
Derby County are keen on signing €5m-rated winger Philip Otele, who is available for transfer this summer. The Rams are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, with a new winger on their agenda.
What happened?
Philip Otele is set to leave Basel this summer and is available for €5m. Derby County have held talks with the winger, who had interest from Birmingham City back in January.
Why it matters for Derby County
Derby County finished eighth in the Championship last season and, with the play-offs expanding, they will fancy their chances of challenging for a top-six finish once again. The potential investment from Turki Alalshikh could provide a major boost to those ambitions.
What comes next?
Derby County have made four signings so far this summer, and a new winger is on their agenda next up. GiveMeSport are reporting that Derby County are keen on a move for winger Philip Otele.
Otele's background
Otele trained with Arsenal as a 14-year-old before studying at Teesside University and playing non-league football for Wolviston FC. Visa issues also denied him the chance to join Sunderland. His professional breakthrough came with Kauno Zalgiris in 2019. He scored 13 league goals across three seasons, including 10 in 2021 as the club finished third.
Otele's recent form
A move to UTA Arad followed in 2022 before Otele starred for CFR Cluj. He scored 18 league goals in the 2023/24 campaign to finish as Liga I's joint top scorer and earn a place in the Team of the Season. Those performances secured a €3.5m move to Al Wahda. However, he struggled for game time and failed to score during his spell in the UAE.
Otele's current form
Otele revived his career after joining Basel, scoring nine goals in 18 league appearances to earn a permanent move. He also spent the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan at Hamburger SV, scoring once in nine Bundesliga appearances.
The Verdict
Derby County's transfer activity slowed after Bobby Clark's return, with Charlie Taylor the only addition during a quieter period of business. The Rams appeared willing to be patient as they assessed their remaining targets. That approach now looks to be changing. Filip Bilbija has arrived to add versatility in attack, while Sammie Szmodics has also strengthened the forward options, although another winger could still be required with links to the likes of Otele and Chiedozie Ogbene.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 8th in Championship, 69 pts, 20W-9D-17L from 46 games, recent form LWLWL.
Derby County's squad is looking stronger with each passing day, and a new winger could be the final piece of the puzzle. With the play-offs expanding, the Rams will fancy their chances of challenging for a top-six finish once again.
Goals this season: 67 scored, 59 conceded (+8 goal difference).
Derby County's attack has been firing on all cylinders this season, with 67 goals scored so far. However, they have also conceded 59 goals, leaving them with a +8 goal difference.
Title race: 26 points behind leaders Coventry.
Derby County are 26 points behind leaders Coventry in the title race, but they are still confident of making a push for the top six. With the play-offs expanding, the Rams will fancy their chances of challenging for a top-six finish once again.
