Mansfield Town in 'pole position' to sign Championship midfielder as transfer fee agreed
Mansfield Town have made a breakthrough in talks with summer transfer target Liam Thompson.
Stags are now reportedly in ‘pole position’ to sign the midfielder from Derby County ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season. The 24-year-old has less than 12 months left on his contract with the Rams.
According to The Mirror, Mansfield Town have entered ‘advanced talks’ with Derby for Thompson’s signature. The Nottingham-born midfield man has been on Stags’ radar all summer and now, a fee has finally been agreed between the two clubs.
Mansfield’s business so far this window has consisted of snapping up free agents. Jon Russell was the first signing, following his loan spell with Stags last season. He joined the One Call Stadium ranks permanently in May on a two-year deal after being released from Barnsley.
David McGoldrick and Michael Smith then followed suit, having also left their respective clubs for free. McGoldrick put pen to paper in June, also making the move from Barnsley to Stags. Smith is the most recent addition to Nigel Clough’s side after his time with Preston North End came to a close.
Clough revealed the club’s priority was to enhance their attack and then potentially bring in another midfielder. With interest in Thompson reaching advanced stages, signs now point to the 24-year-old becoming Stags’ next and likely final signing of the summer window.
Mansfield Town faced Derby County in their latest pre-season friendly at the One Call. The game ended 3-1 in favour of the Rams, with new signing Smith scoring his second pre-season goal in amber and blue.
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