Gillingham have been linked with a move for Salford City striker Callum Hendry, according to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon.
The 25-year-old has been with Salford for just one season but has been highly impressive and is now linked with a move away from the Peninsula Stadium. Hendry played an integral part in Salford’s push for the play-offs last year, where they’d eventually bow out to Stockport County on penalties.
Scoring a team-high 12 League Two goals last season, alongside providing five assists, Hendry would certainly be a significant loss for the Ammies. The club has however put a £300,000 price tag on the Scotsman and do seem somewhat reluctant to sell, especially to a League Two rival.
That team in question are Neil Harris’ ambitious Gillingham side. The Gills have made an excellent start to the new season, seeing off both Stockport County and Accrington Stanley 1-0 in their first two games. Adding to that they also provided one of the shocks of the round in the EFL cup easing past Championship newcomers Southampton 3-1. With their trajectory very much going upwards at the minute, it is expected that Harris’ side will be at the business end come the end of the season.
Salford are also expected to be in and around the play-offs come April, but have been hit with a few significant losses over the summer transfer window. Notable transfers include Ibou Touray to Stockport, Shane McLoughlin to Newport, and Jason Lowe to Port Vale. That being said, the Ammies have recruited well with the signings of Luke Garbutt from Blackpool and Curtis Tilt from Wigan both standing out.
Like Gillingham, Salford have also enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season as well as progressing to the second round of the EFL cup after beating Championship side Preston North End on penalties. A 2-0 win away at Forest Green to start the season was then backed up by a 1-1 draw to the improving Crawley Town this weekend, with Hendry starting up top in both of those games.
Although he is yet to find the back of the net this season, Hendry’s performances last season show what he can bring to an ambitious side such as Gillingham. Prior to joining the Ammies, Hendry had applied his trade over the border for St. Johnstone, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock and has proved himself as a very consistent forward over the last couple of seasons.
This would be an absolute steal for Gillingham, especially as Hendry plays for one of their expected promotion rivals and he could be the player who can take them to the next level. However the £300,000 price tag that Salford have placed on the Scotsman may be enough to put Neil Harris off and he may look elsewhere for a new striker.
Writer’s view
This would be an excellent piece of business by Gillingham but I’m not totally sure that they’ll want to pay the asking price. Hendry is certainly a good asset to have but the price tag for this level isn’t exactly totally justifiable. Salford will want to try and keep hold of Hendry following on from their good start to the new campaign, but if the price is offered it seems silly to turn down.
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