The arrival of Swindon Town striker Paul Mullin is unlikely to be the last forward signed this summer, and it’s two of the National League’s hottest properties that are said to interest Micky Mellon.
The Rovers chief is apparently keen on AFC Fylde’s Danny Rowe, but more so on Boreham Wood striker Morgan Ferrier. Ferrier missed the play-off final against Tranmere due to injury, but the big striker is one of the best performing outside of the Football League.
Ferrier left Boreham Wood for Dagenham last summer and scored eight goals for the Daggers priod to being sold in Jaunary due to the club’s financial problems. He re-joined Boreham Wood and netted another seven goals as Luke Garrard’s team secured a play-off spot.
The rumour mill suggests Tranmere had agreed a deal with Boreham Wood but the move is unlikely to happen with the player reluctant to relocate up north.
One move in which geography would not be a problem is for Fylde forward Danny Rowe. Rowe has had an exceptional couple of years in front of goal for Dave Challinor’s side and is attracting the interest of several league clubs. Again, speculation suggests Tranmere are one of his potential suitors.
However, no acceptable bids have yet been made and National League new boys Salford are also interested having missed out on Andy Cook. In fact, it’s not clear if any bids have been made at all this summer. Fylde boss Challinor confirmed in May that the club had received only one bid for the player during the course of the last four years.
Challinor told afcfylde.co.uk:
“This is one that always divides opinion and brings up discussions around why there has never been any serious interest in Rowey.
“It is something I have spoken to Rowey about many times over the years.
“Perhaps he is now at an age where clubs feel like it is too much of a risk. He’s 29 now and maybe the potential outlay for a player of that age is too high.
“There is a misconception that he is on daft money here, which just isn’t the case. There is also the misconception that no amount of money could prize him away. Every club has to accept bids at some point, whatever the level, but it isn’t something we are even considering at the moment.
“Over the course of the four years that he has been here, there has only been one bid and it was embarrassing for someone of Rowey’s quality.”
Strikers being snapped up
There seems to have been a whole host of forward players on the move recently in League Two, as well as some target men than have gone higher-up the leagues.
In League One, ex-Bradford striker Peter Hanson – the definition of target man – has joined AFC Wimbledon. Former Tranmere loanee Armand Gnanduillet has left Blackpool and joined South African side Baroka.
In League Two, experienced forward Jonathon Forte has joined Exeter after leaving Oldham, while Port Vale have signed Edris Kanu (ex-Aldershot) on loan and Ricky Miller for an undisclosed fee.
Veteran former Rover Chris Dagnall has joined Bury, Nathan Blissett has joined Macclesfield on a two year deal having helped the club win promotion and Frank Nouble has joined Colchester United.