Bayo Fapetu: Derby County in contract talks with midfielder who was on the books of Arsenal for ten years

Following the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season,newly promoted Championship club Derby County have announced their retained and released list.

The Rams confirmed that they are in discussions with Arsena’s Hale End Academy product Bayo Fapetu about his future.

Fapetu was on the books of Arsenal for ten years, joining them in 2011 before signing a scholarship at Derby County ahead of the start of the 2021-2022 season.

The London-born Nigerian midfielder signed his first professional contract with Derby County in the summer of 2023 and was promoted to the development squad on a full time basis.

He made his professional debut in an EFL Trophy match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in November 2023 and appeared in two more first-team games during the recently concluded season.

Bayo, elder brother of Manchester City youth teamer Femi Fapetu, was called up for three matches in the League One but was not utilized off the bench by manager Paul Warne.

With his deal set to run out at the end of next month, Derby County are keen on retaining his services after his impressive performances for the development squad.

Meanwhile, Irish-Nigerian striker Owen Oseni has not been offered a new deal and will leave Derby County upon the expiry of his contract on June 30.

Justin Oguntolu and Adisa Osayande will begin the second year of their scholarship in 2024-2025