Northampton Town are set to explore the free agent market in the coming weeks as Kevin Nolan looks to address his side’s lack of attacking firepower following a frustrating January transfer window.
The Cobblers missed out on a number of striker targets during the window, including two late moves on deadline day, and that failure to add up front has prompted the club to widen its search as the League One relegation battle intensifies.
Chief executive James Whiting confirmed earlier in the week that Northampton are actively assessing out-of-contract players, with Nolan now revealing that one or two free agents are expected to join training soon as the club assesses whether a deal can be struck.
“We’re looking at the free agent market and we’ve already spoken to a couple of players,” Nolan said. “I think one or two will probably come and join training in the next couple of weeks.
“That gives us an opportunity to get our eyes on them because some of these players have been out of the game for a while and they need to get their fitness up. We’ll see if we can get them up to speed and if there’s something we can do and explore, and if it works for the club, I’m sure you’ll see a bit of action.”
Northampton’s need for reinforcements is underlined by their current league position. Saturday’s 3-1 win over Stevenage lifted the Cobblers out of the bottom four, but they remain 19th in League One with just 29 goals scored from 30 matches, one of the lowest totals in the division.
Teams below showing signs of life
With several sides below them also showing signs of life, Nolan knows that survival is unlikely to be secured without greater cutting edge in the final third. The club’s chief executive was keen to stress that finances were not the issue in January, and that funds remain available should the right opportunity arise.
“The fact we didn’t bring in a forward during the transfer window was not a money issue,” Whiting said. “The money was there but circumstances meant we couldn’t get the player we wanted, but that money’s still available for an out of contract player.”
That clarity removes one of the usual barriers to late recruitment and gives Northampton flexibility as they attempt to stabilise their season. Allowing free agents to train with the squad also provides Nolan with the chance to judge fitness, sharpness, and suitability before committing to a deal.
Who could come?
There is no shortage of experienced forwards currently without a club. Options such as James Wilson, Chris Martin, Macauley Bonne, and Lys Mousset all bring different profiles, from penalty box instinct to physical presence and top-flight experience. However, the names themselves are unlikely to strike joy into the hearts of Cobblers’ fans. Wilson is probably the one who has been acceptable at this level, but Martin is the wrong side of 35, while Bonne last played in the National League.
Mousset is the more interesting option. He was most recently with Bohemians and has top-flight experience. At just 30, he would probably still have an impact, but his move to Bochum was not a success and he was accused of unprofessionalism.
Any move would carry risk, particularly around match fitness, but with the Cobblers’ margin for error shrinking, a short-term gamble could yet prove decisive in their fight to stay clear of relegation.
