Trio targeted as Stags race to beat 11pm transfer deadline

Mansfield Town have three possible targets as the race to beat tonight's 11pm transfer window deadline continues.
Mansfield Town v Luton Town
English League Football - Sky BET League Two
Field Mill, Mansfield, England
26th August 2017

Mansfield Town Manager Steve Evans

Picture by Dan WestwellMansfield Town v Luton Town
English League Football - Sky BET League Two
Field Mill, Mansfield, England
26th August 2017

Mansfield Town Manager Steve Evans

Picture by Dan Westwell
Mansfield Town v Luton Town English League Football - Sky BET League Two Field Mill, Mansfield, England 26th August 2017 Mansfield Town Manager Steve Evans Picture by Dan Westwell

Stags were already trying to bring in a quality attacking midfielder and a young striker, but this morning they were informed of the availability of a quality right-sided midfielder.

Boss Steve Evans said it would be a long shot to attract this talented youngster down to League Two level, but he is happy to try his best today.

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Evans has completed his part with the other two deals and it is now down to chairman John Radford and CEO Carolyn Radford to rubber stamp or reject them.

On the new possibility, Evans said: “We have found out someone is available this morning.

“I got the call from his agent and we’ve asked what the level of deal would be.

“It would be a surprise if that one happened as I struggle to think for one minute that this kid is going to be playing in League Two when the window slams shut.

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“He plays on the right side where we have two or three good options - I thought Alfie Potter was outstanding for an hour the other night.

“But we are never against adding to the group if a really talented one becomes available. That’s always been the agreement between me and the chairman, especially if they are young with that hunger to go and get some football.”

Evans was unable to speak to the Radfords before training today so any deals would be later on now.

“I need to speak to the chairman and chief executive,” he said.

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“He knows I’d like to do one or two things but that’s now a decision for the chairman and the CEO and they are in meetings this morning.

“They are involved in multi-national big business and they have to do what is right on that side of it.”

Evans said there were several clubs chasing the central midfielder but Stags are his No.1 choice.

“The central midfield player that we like, he really wants to come. His representatives want him to come. That’s half the battle,” said Evans.

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“They have two or three options on the table to them. The boy’s single preferred choice, having met two or three managers, including myself, would be to come here.

“But, of course, the deal has to be right and our owners have to be happy with what we are entering into.

“It is now a decision for my chairman and CEO. If they say no, we can’t quite get there on this deal then I am 100 per cent compliant with that.

“They have been fantastic and are great to work with every day.

“If they want to do it I think it will happen today.”

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On the young striker from one of his former clubs, he said: “That’s another one just waiting for us to say yes, but all the focus, quite rightly, is going onto the central midfield player.

“The young striker deal is not a big one. It’s someone who’d come in and we’d help develop over 12 months.

“He would train with us every day and make an appearance every now and again. If he does exceptionally well ahead of his time he will play a part.

“If he doesn’t he will join the likes of Richard Cooper and Mike Whitlow at U21 level and develop nicely along the way.”

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Evans is used to going close to the deadline to complete deals.

“At Rotherham we signed Luciano Becchio from Norwich,” he said.

“The forms went through and I think we got the receipt with eight seconds to spare. It can take it to that level.”

Evans was delighted the club had turned down offers for two members of his first team squad.

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“In terms of the main squad, the good news is that the three written offers that came in for two of our players have been rejected by our chairman and CEO as I expected they would be,” he said.

“So the main group is going to be intact and we are just trying to sign one or two players who we think could help us.”

On fringe players, he added: “I would expect to see a couple go out on loan today, maybe two or three. “We’ve had a bit of interest from League Two and the National League.

“These are lads who we just don’t see getting a lot of game time, so the loan options are there to go until January or for 90 days. We will retain the right to bring these lads back on recall clauses.

“Going down the levels, let’s not forget they can go after today as the National League is not subject to the strict rules we are in terms of the transfer window.”