Blackpool are facing a fight to keep prolific striker Jerry Yates, with a host of Championship clubs looking to sign the striker this summer, according to TheSun.
Despite relegation from the Championship, Yates managed to hit 14 goals in the league earning him well-deserved interest from clubs looking to bring him back into the division. Play-off finalists Luton Town and Coventry City are interested as well as Bristol City and West Brom. Ipswich Town have also been noted as plotting an ambitious move after their promotion from League One.
Who Is Jerry Yates?
Yates signed for Blackpool in 2020 and has hit 42 goals in 124 games. He ended his first season with The Seasiders with 20 goals in the league as Blackpool gained promotion to the Championship after beating Lincoln City in the playoff final.
Blackpool endured a difficult season in 2022-23 with relegation back to League One and the sacking of both Michael Appleton and Mick McCarthy. Yates, however, impressed scoring 14 goals and with a goal record like this in a poor team, Yates was always going to gain interest from other Championship sides, and he would be a top pickup for one this summer.
Who Wants Him?
Yates has gained interest from five Championship clubs with Blackpool already turning down a 2.5 million pound bid, while they hold out for 4 million. Firstly play-off finalists, Luton and Coventry have credited their interest for the striker. Coventry could be looking to improve their attacking options this summer, with heavy interest in their star striker Viktor Gyökeres from Premier League teams, so Yates could be an interesting signing for Mark Robins’ side.
Bristol City and West Brom had disappointing Championship campaigns last time out and will be looking for new recruits to help push them up the division. West Brom charged towards the playoffs with a late push but will be hoping that the signing of a top striker, such as Yates will see them comfortably go to the next level and challenge for promotion
Newly promoted Ipswich Town are also reportedly interested and while they are the most unlikely location for the striker, it would be a massive coup for Kieran McKenna’s side as they look to stabilize themselves in a higher division.
Writers View
Personally, I think Yates would be a top signing for a number of Championship clubs. He has shown this season he is capable of scoring goals in a poorly performing team, so if he is surrounded by top-quality creative players, he could easily become a 20-goal-a-season striker at Championship level.
