Welcome to silly season, also known as the summer, as we bring you up-to-date on the latest transfer news and speculation, including a potential move to Portsmouth for James Norwood.
After flying out of the blocks with two early signings, it’s all gone a little quiet on the transfer front for Tranmere. That is unless you count outgoings, in which case things are moving on a little more swiftly.
Outgoing transfer speculation
First let’s start with captain Steve McNulty, who is out of contract this summer. We understand Macca has had talks over a new deal with Rovers, but it would just be on a one-year contract.
At least two other north west non-league clubs are interested in taking McNulty, and the potential of them offering a two-year contract may be too tempting.
It’s our understanding that McNulty is also open to the idea of playing part-time next season which would allow him to build a career away from football.
Let’s hope Micky can tempt him to stay put as he is a huge influence on the Rovers defence.
Of the players released, Jake Kirby could be set to spend pre-season with AFC Fylde with Dave Challinor thought to be keen to run the rule over him. There may also be some Football League interest from Morecambe, though we’re struggling to have that confirmed at the moment.
Word on the grapevine suggests that Andy Mangan may be heading for pre-season in the Fylde coast as well, although Fleetwood Town would be his destination. He could be invited to train with the club with a view to earning a deal, while he’s also working on his coaching badges over the summer.
Next let’s talk about another striker, and good old social media. A supposed ITK (in the know) profile on Twitter posted linking James Norwood with a move to Portsmouth, Shrewsbury and Burton Albion. Tranmere have already lost top scorer Andy Cook to Walsall and so keeping hold of Norwood is vital.
Nors wrote himself in to Tranmere folklore with his promotion-winning goal at Wembley a few weeks ago and was also quoted in the press as saying he’d stay at Rovers for as long as the club wanted him, suggesting he’d be happy to see out his career at Prenton Park.
We’ve heard absolutely nothing on this rumour and suspect it is just that, baseless social media chatter.
Josh Ginnelly, the winger who spent the end of last season on loan at Tranmere, has joined Walsall on a free transfer. He will link-up with Andy Cook again at the Bescot Stadium having penned a one-year contract. Grimsby had been interested in Ginnelly, though it’s not known if Rovers had also offered a deal.
Young midfielder Ethan Devine, who was released at the end of the season, has joined Welsh side Colwyn Bay on a free transfer.
Incoming transfer speculation
There is very little speculation in terms of specific names of incoming transfers at the moment.
Mansfield winger Paul Anderson is a player whose name has been circulated around several clubs in League One and Two, with Rovers being one. The former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest man has been made available for transfer by the Stags after managing only six appearances last season.
It’s understood that Anderson would be allowed to train with a potential new club in pre-season despite being under contract at Field Mill.
There seems to be no names doing the rounds in terms of strikers at the moment, which suggests things are being kept very quiet, or it’s proving difficult.
The likes of Notts County and Port Vale both have money to spend on forward players this summer, so it’s a competitive market.
We will round-up the latest transfers in League Two later today.
