Derby County and Portsmouth will have to wait until after pre-season to potentially sign former Fleetwood Town midfielder Bosun Lawal, according to the latest reports.
Both the Rams and Pompey are back in the Championship with each other for the first time in 12 years and will be looking forward to competing in a much stronger division next season, having been joined by Oxford United who beat Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final a week-and-a-half ago.
Ipswich Town‘s glorious and unprecedented promotion to the Premier League as a newly promoted second-tier club will have given Derby County and Portsmouth a lot of encouragement that they will not be resigned to a relegation battle for the entirety of the 2024/25 campaign.
Nevertheless, even achieving survival next season will require both managers to bolster their squads over the coming summer transfer window. One name that has been linked with a switch to Pride Park and Fratton Park in the transfer market is Celtic star Lawal.
The Republic of Ireland U21s international spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Fleetwood and put in some incredible displays at Highbury Stadium. Having started off as a struggling centre-back, Lawal subsequently moved into midfield where he dominated in the middle of the park, eventually making 47 appearances in all competitions for the Cod Army.
It was previously revealed by the Scottish Sun that Derby and Pompey are set to battle it out for the 20-year-old’s loan signature this summer but would face stiff competition from fellow Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers.
However, journalist Alan Nixon has provided an update on the Lawal transfer saga, via Inside Futbol, claiming that Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will not make a decision on the player’s future until he has observed him during the club’s pre-season tour which kicks off in July.
Writer’s View
It was a disappointing season in Lancashire for Lawal in the sense that Fleetwood were relegated from the division. Nonetheless, Lawal was scintillating at times and was undoubtedly the club’s Player of the Season, stating that he is now a “stronger player” for his time at Fleetwood despite the club’s woes on the pitch.
Furthermore, his experience in League One has been invaluable but it’s now time for the Irishman to try his hand in a more competitive division, hence why Derby County and Portsmouth are interested in his services, but perhaps Rodgers will feel he could player a major role at Celtic next season and veto any loan deal for the ex-Watford academy star.
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