According to journalist Pete O’Rouke, MK Dons have placed a bid for Notts County midfielder Dan Crowley.
Crowley had an exceptional season in League Two last season in black and white, playing all 46 league games, chipping in with 25 goal contributions in the process for the Magpies. The former Oxford United, Cheltenham Town, Morecambe, Hull City and Birmingham City player has seemingly found a home in Nottingham, after jumping between clubs in both England and the Netherlands his whole career. However, this may be about to change, with promotion-hunting MK Dons entering the fray and placing a bid for the 27-year-old.
Former owner Pete Winkelman, who was the owner at the Dons for 20 years, has recently sold off the club to a Kuwait-based consortium, which entrepreneur Fahad Al Ghanim leads. It was a deal that has now left the club and stadium group debt-free according to the official statement.
MK Dons have already signed 12 players in the window, with the likes of Lawrence Maguire, Tom Carroll, Callum Hendry and Tommy Leigh joining up with Mike Williamson, who is overseeing his first full season as head coach at Stadium MK.
Notts County, like MK Dons, have been active in the transfer market, bringing in 10 new players, but they have already lost the likes of Macualey Langstaff, who scored 28 goals last season. Like Mike Williamson, this is Stuart Maynards first full season in charge at Meadow Lane.
Crowley signed a two-year deal with Notts County, meaning he has only one year left on his contract before it runs out at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Both teams have been acquainted with each other so far in the transfer market, with Aaron Nemane joining MK Dons from Notts County, and Connor Grant doing the opposite. Notts County fans will hope the same does not happen again, with Crowley being one of the stand-out performers last season in League Two. Losing your two top scorers is never favourable, and with Notts County also setting their sights on promotion, they will struggle without their two main men.
Writer’s View
Hanging on to Crowley may prove to be pivotal to the Magpie’s season. With Langstaff already out the door, they need to be careful with how they approach MK’s offer. With Millwall already paying a hefty fee for Langstaff’s services, County may feel like they are in a position where they do not have to sell to benefit the club financially. However, the Coventry-born player only has one year remaining on his current contract, and if Maynard feels like Crowley may leave, Notts County might cash in whilst they can.
If the Dons can pull this signing off, it will be no surprise to see them fighting it out for promotion at the top of the table. As previously mentioned, Mike Williamson’s side is already stacked with good players, with the likes of Sam Sherring, Liam Kelly, Tom Carroll, Tom McGill and Nico Lawrence all making the step down in divisions to sign at Stadium MK.
The player himself now has a big decision to make. Does he stay on at Notts County, where he is valued, and where he knows he can perform, or like the rest of his career, does he move again, and start a new challenge and chapter with a side who have financial backing and will likely be battling it out at the top of the table come the end of the season.
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