Blackpool close in on 25-year-old former Sheffield United man

Blackpool are closing in on former Sheffield United man CJ Hamilton, as reported by Football Insider.

The 25-year-old has been plying his trade with Mansfield Town, the club he signed for after leaving Bramall Lane. It appears he is now a target for Neil Critchley’s side, where a ‘six-figure‘ bid is being prepared.

The versatile forward enjoyed a fantastic season in 2018/19, scoring fourteen goals in fifty-five appearances as the Stags just missed out on automatic promotion and ultimately failed to negotiate the playoff hurdle, losing to Newport on penalties in the semi-final. Last season was not so great for Hamilton, who found himself out of favour with John Dempster before the manager’s sacking.

His blistering pace and eye for goal led to speculation in January that he would be snapped up by a Championship club with Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion reported to have been interested with a potential fee of £750,000 rumoured. However, a move never materialised, and he stayed at Field Mill.

It now seems that fee is being dropped to around £300,000, still very good business for any club in the current climate.

Our View

12 months ago, we could have seen the value in this, but Hamilton did not impress at all last season and the fee looks very inflated.

Blackpool are a side we fancy to do well next season, but spending such a big sum on a player who has never proven himself outside the basement division does represent a risk. The one overriding factor will be Neil Critchley, a strong coach who may have seen qualities he can work with.

If Hamilton adds consistency, both in performances and the final ball, he could be a wise signing, albeit a risky one.

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