Notts County striker Alassana Jatta has become a transfer target for Salford City, less than one month after he helped the Magpies defeat the Ammies in the League Two play-off final.
The 27-year-old arrived at Meadow Lane from Danish top flight outfit Viborg in February 2024 and immediately hit the ground running. He bagged five goals in 10 league outings, forming a deadly partnership with Macaulay Langstaff.
It was the 2024/25 season in which the Gambian international came into his own though. With Langstaff departing for Millwall, Jatta stepped in to score 19 times to help County reach the play-offs. However, a harsh red card in the semi final first leg defeat against AFC Wimbledon ultimately proved costly, with the Dons eventually progressing to League One.
Under the guidance of Martin Paterson, the East Midlands-based team bounced back this season, earning a second successive season extension with a fifth placed-finish. After edging past Chesterfield in the semi-final, a return to the third tier was confirmed when Jatta’s opener at Wembley Stadium helped secure a 3-0 victory over Salford.
Salford Plot Ambitious Raid
Salford have made no secret of their desire to claim the football pyramid and missed a glorious opportunity to do so last month. A 0-0 draw with Crawley Town on the final day condemned them to the play-offs, where they once again fell short.
The decision to part company with manager Karl Robinson was made shortly after, but planning for the next campaign is already underway. According to journalist Alan Nixon, the Greater Manchester-based side have identified Jatta as the ideal person to lead their line next season.
It is said that any potential deal would involve a ‘serious six-figure sum’, whilst the Ammies are prepared to offer a considerable jump in his current salary at Meadow Lane.
Could Jatta Drop Back To League Two?
This is an interesting rumour, especially considering Salford’s managerial situation. A number of names have been linked to the role, including Darren Ferguson, Phil Neville and Dave Challinor, whilst current Malaysia boss Peter Cklamovski has emerged as the new frontrunner.
Jatta is preparing to tackle League One football for the first time in his career and it is perhaps unlikely at this stage that he would be prepared to give up that opportunity. The current instability at the Peninsula Stadium may also play a role, with any potential arrivals unsure who they will be playing under next season.
The key thing here is the striker’s wages. It is claimed that Salford are prepared to make a lucrative offer to increase his current earnings, whilst County’s head could be turned due to the fee involved. Jatta’s current deal is set to expire next summer, meaning this could be their last opportunity to attract a decent sum for their talisman.
