Colchester United are expected to beat League Two rivals Rotherham United to their latest summer target, as the closure of the summer transfer window continues to countdown.
Danny Cowley’s side began their respective campaign with defeat against Championship side Southampton in the EFL Cup, but have since recovered to take four points from their opening two league games and find themselves in a healthy league position early doors.
Unsurprisingly, the club have been busy in the transfer market after narrowly avoiding a bottom half finish in League Two last season, though their efforts this time around appear to be aiming for a top seven finish ahead of a potential further push towards the third tier.
This starts by ensuring that their squad is as competitive as possible, and with next week’s deadline edging ever closer – Colchester’s work continues behind the scenes.
Colchester to beat Rotherham to forward signing
The club have scored four goals in their opening two league games, though none of those have came from their strikers – whether that’s a goal or an assist, which could suggest the need for a further improvement before the window came to an end.
In recent days, a host of clubs including Colchester and Rotherham have been linked with a move for Blackpool forward Kylian Kouassi, but the League One side have been busy trying to find a player of their own before likely allowing their target to depart.
Blackpool have since signed Jerry Yates on loan, which opened up the door for Kouassi to leave and it appears his next move has been decided.
According to a report from journalist Pete O’Rourke, Colchester United are set to beat Rotherham to the signing of Kylian Kouassi – though the report is yet to specify whether his move will be a loan deal or a permanent deal, and if so whether there would be a fee involved.
The 23-year-old made 19 appearances for Cambridge United in League Two last season, registering eight goal contributions including a memorable performance in the FA Cup back in November, scoring twice and setting up another.
Similarly, Kouassi has featured four times for Blackpool so far this season and scored during a 3-1 victory away to last season’s giant killers Grimsby Town.
Is a move to Colchester, the right decision?
Almost every EFL side has been busy in the summer transfer window and both Colchester and Rotherham are no exceptions.
Focusing on the Millers, they have already brought in several forwards to their squad, following their relegation from League One – including Burton Albion‘s Fabio Tavares and Wrexham’s Paul Mullin. These additions represent a major risk factor in terms of the game time that Kouassi would likely receive if he were to join them.
Meanwhile, Colchester’s leading man is Bradley Ihionvien – another player that isn’t necessarily prolific in front of goal, only managing four in 18 last season and two in 19 prior to that.
Therefore, one could argue that Colchester were likely in need of another forward to bring quality and increased competition, and that is exactly what the 23-year-old will bring once his move has been finalised.
Out of the two, Colchester also have a proven manager in Danny Cowley, who knows exactly how to develop players and let them operate to the best of their abilities – something that is likely to appeal to Kouassi.
