Aberdeen Midfielder In League Two Switch?

League Two duo Tranmere Rovers and Barrow have been heavily linked with a move for Aberdeen midfielder Dean Campbell, according to the Daily Record.

Campbell spent the entirety of the 2022/23 season on loan with Stevenage, gaining promotion with the club. Although not getting consistent minutes at the Lamex, the midfielder would make 14 appearances and get his first taste of English football.

Who is Dean Campbell?

Having been with Aberdeen since 2017 as part of their youth team, Campbell won the academy’s Player of the Year award for three seasons in a row, before enjoying a good run in the first team.

He would end up making 57 appearances for the first team in a six year spell, which also included a loan spell with Kilmarnock and has also been capped for Scotland up until under-19s level. However, his contract at the Pittodrie is about to expire at the end of the month, leaving uncertainty regarding his future.

Who are his suitors?

Barrow and Tranmere are the two clubs in contention for Campbell’s signature and having finished ninth and twelfth respectively in League Two last season, but could they be the perfect landing spots for the Scotsman?

Often deployed as a defensive or central midfielder, the addition of the 22-year-old would certainly bolster both side’s midfield options. Barrow have kept all of their core midfielders, but there is still space for Campbell to be in the midfield rotation. As for Tranmere, they have also retained the majority of their starters, however Campbell would come in as a breath of fresh air to the squad and be able to challenge for a starting spot in pre-season.

Both have been fairly active so far in the summer transfer window. Barrow have already signed ; Kian Spence from FC Halifax Town, Courtney Duffus from Morecambe, Junior Tiensia from Solihull Moors and David Worrall from Port Vale. The Bluebirds already making four signings is somewhat of a statement to the rest of the league about their plans for the season. After their successful ninth place in the 22/23 season, they’ll be looking to progress once again.

As for Tranmere, they’ve completed just one signing, but it was a big one. Rovers have signed ex-Carlisle striker, Kristian Dennis who scored 20 League Two goals last season, which is a strong first piece of business for Tranmere this summer, and Dennis will be the first of many to come through the doors at Prenton Park this season.

Writer’s View

Still only 22, Campbell possesses bundles of potential. If he can get a good number of minutes under his belt, then he may really progress next season. Although I think Barrow are potentially a more attractive club to join currently, Tranmere are potentially the better option for Campbell.

He can become a real star at Prenton Park due to his ability to break the game up and with Tranmere less active this window, the move makes more sense. Whoever gets Campbell has a serious player on their hands if able to get the best out of him.