Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd is on the shortlist of several EFL clubs this summer as they look to bolster their squads.
Shepperd, who joined Wycombe in February this year, failed to make an appearance for the club in his short spell at Adams Park and it has already been confirmed he is to be released at the end of the month.
According to journalist Pete O’Rourke the Welshman is wanted by no less than six EFL clubs across League One and League Two, including Barnsley, Burton Albion, Shrewsbury Town, Bradford City, AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town.
Managers will surely be taking little notice of his short spell with Wycombe Wanderers but more of his hugely promising two years with Dundalk in the League of Ireland. Having left Brentford B in 2021, the then-21-year-old signed for The Lilywhites and earned the club’s Player of the Season award in 2022.
It was reported in January by The Irish Independent that Shepperd was keen to stay with the League of Ireland outfit after narrowly missing out on Europe in 2023, but talks broke down and he made the trip to England to join Matt Bloomfield’s side.
Perhaps the most appealing option for the now 23-year-old would be Barnsley, who will surely be favourites to be near the top of League One in the 2024/25 campaign after losing to Bolton Wanderers in last month’s play-offs.
The Tykes appointed Darrell Clarke as their new boss on May 23rd and turned heads as they confirmed the signing of former player and ex-Premier League midfielder Conor Hourihane this week.
The Yorkshire-based club will be looking for a new permanent number one as Liam Roberts returned to his parent club Middlesbrough following a successful loan spell last campaign.
Shepperd though, having failed to make an impact in League One, may view the League Two options of Bradford and AFC Wimbledon, who both just missed out on the play offs last season, as more guaranteed minutes to further his development having not played a competitive match this calendar year.
Writer’s View
Shepperd has already proven in his short career he is a talented goalkeeper but with no football in 2024, his next move seems a crucial one. His priority will undoubtedly be getting minutes under his belt so long conversations will be had with managers as he weighs up his options.
At just 23, the exiting Wycombe Wanderers shot-stopper could well have a long career ahead of him in the EFL but this summer feels a pivotal one if that is to happen. Wherever the former Wales U21 international ends up, he could be one to watch this season as one of the biggest redemption arcs of the campaign if he cements a place as a number one.