Wayne Rooney set to lose second Derby prospect to Crystal Palace after 'taking advantage' remark

Crystal Palace have reportedly beaten Manchester United to the signing of Derby Counter starlet Malcolm Ebiowei.

The 18-year-old winger has been of interest to both Palace and United for some time following a breakthrough season at Pride Park working under Wayne Rooney, playing 15 times in all competitions and scoring once, as the Rams suffered relegation to League One following a points deduction.

A former Arsenal academy prospect, Ebiowei has represented both England and the Netherlands at youth level and was a free transfer for Derby last September from Rangers where he signed a one-year contract, spending the first half of the season with the Under-18s and Under-22s before being promoted to the senior squad by Rooney in January.

United are said to have held talks with Ebiowei’s representatives and tracked him for months in a bid to bring him to Old Trafford but, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, it’s Selhurst Park and Patrick Vieira that the teenager has chosen, reportedly completing his medical this week ahead of signing a five-year deal.

He tweeted: “English talent Malcolm Ebiowei won't join Manchester United. He's set to sign his contract with Crystal Palace after medicals completed this week, it's a done deal. Ebiowei will leave Derby County to join Palace - contract will be valid until June 2027. To be clear: Ebiowei's medical has been already completed earlier this week, all done. Five-year deal to be signed very soon - Crystal Palace statement to follow right after.”

Ebiowei’s expected arrival in SE25 will be the second time Palace have managed to sign a hot prospect from Derby this year following Luke Plange’s £1million arrival in January. The striker was loaned back to the Rams until the end of