Heart of Midlothian have joined the hunt for free agent Mikael Mandron, providing competition for Bristol Rovers as well as Gillingham.
According to Not The Old Firm, Craig Levein has identified the target man as the perfect partner for Steven Naismith as they look to improve on their sixth-placed finish this season. After a good start, the Jambos led the table but ended up finishing three points behind city rivals Hibernian.
The 24-year-old is a free agent after leaving Colchester, but is attracting lots of attention. Steve Evans is thought to be an admirer, identifying the former Sunderland man as a replacement for Tom Eaves.
Bristol Rovers also need some presence up front. Tom Nichols and Stefan Payne struggled to impress themselves on the side last season and with Jonson Clarke-Harris in the fold, Graham Coughlan wants a strong forward to play alongside him.
Mandron started life with the Black Cats, but made his name after joining Eastleigh in the National League. He later moved to Wigan Athletic before a return to Colchester.
He struggled in League Two last season, scoring just once in 41 outings, but had to endure being played on the wing at times, not his favoured position.
Our View
Mandron is hot property and whilst he didn’t impress at Colchester, his attributes are well known. He’s a new-style target man, not just good in the air but also with a little bit of pace and the ability to carry the ball.
He’d be just as comfortable in a 4-2-3-1 as he would something akin to a 4-4-2 and can play in a counter-attacking side as well as one looking to unlock defences without sitting back.
He’s going to be the subject of a few offers and we wouldn’t be surprised to see other sides join the hunt.