Mansfield Town are facing troubles in trying to secure a deal to sign Preston North End‘s Michael Smith.
The veteran striker has been allowed to leave Deepdale this summer, with Bradford City briefly interested in the 34-year-old prior to them signing Burton Albion’s Jake Beesley.
Stags Hit Trouble
Now, a new club has emerged that is coveting the former Sheffield Wednesday man in the form of Mansfield Town, but according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon page, they are trying to negotiate a deal with the Lilywhites.
The Field Mill club were first linked to Smith two weeks ago, with the Lancashire Post reporting that Nigel Clough’s side had held initial talks with the club over a transfer deal.
However, according to Nixon, Town have begun to struggle in their efforts, with it being stated that they are ‘struggling to find a package that suits him’.#
The Stags have already recruited one veteran forward this summer in the form of David McGoldrick, who left Barnsley after the Tykes were unable to agree terms with their top scorer from last season.
North End, meanwhile, are actively hunting a new striking option amid interest in current talisman Milutin Osmajic, with Italian sides Udinese and Genoa already lodging enquiries over the Montenegro international.
Paul Heckingbottom has already identified a potential successor in the form of Plymouth Argyle‘s Lorent Tolaj, who could command a £3 million price tag if Preston were able to convince the Home Park club to sell.
Is Smith Needed At Field Mill?
Adding depth to any team’s striking options is pivotal to their chances heading into next season, and in that case, Mansfield Town making a cheap move for Michael Smith should tick all boxes.
However, considering they have recruited a new veteran forward who is bound to get more regular game time in the form of David McGoldrick this summer, it is hard to see where the 34-year-old fits into the plans.
With Will Evans and Rhys Oates both tied to the club for at least the next year, adding a fourth option in Smith may not be worthwhile, and it is perhaps the inability to promise regular game time which has caused talks to grind to a halt.
After a tough campaign at Preston North End last season, in which he only found the net three times, a drop down to League One is perhaps necessary to try and get his career back on track somewhat, but considering the strength of competition, it is hard to imagine that opportunity at Mansfield Town.
