Marcus Evans’ recent five-point strategy included a commitment to buying young players that could be developed. Another discussed having a competitive wage budget. With this in mind, CHRIS BRAMMER looks at some players that would have fit the bill.
Alex Mowatt (Leeds to Barnsley, £600,000 approx)
Given Barnsley’s success in nurturing young talent and unearthing lower-league gems (Conor Hourihane, Josh Scowen, Marley Watkins), Mowatt (21) is likely to thrive and Town should look at the Barnsley recruitment model seriously.
The playmaker scored 13 goals in 125 games for Leeds and replaces ex-Town man, Hourihane, who has made a seven-figure switch to Aston Villa.
The Reds had funds available, having also sold James Bree and Sam Winnall in January, but Town are crying out for talent like Mowatt.
Luke Freeman (Bristol City to QPR, £300,000 approx)
Scored a wonder goal in Bristol City’s 2-0 win over Ipswich in December, the 24-year-old has a peach of a left foot and would have been a welcome creative addition to the Blues’ squad.
QPR boss Ian Holloway described Freeman as a leader who always wants to be on the ball.
The latter applies to Tom Lawrence, but several other Blues players have been found wanting in the final third this season.
Scored 28 goals in 269 league appearances, albeit the majority of those games came in League One.
Matt Smith (Fulham to QPR, £500,000-plus)
Maybe does not fit the age criteria, but in terms of affordable strikers to fill the Daryl Murphy void, he was ideal, and would not have broken the bank
Bustling targetman who has scored 21 goals in 92 Championship games for Leeds and Fulham, Smith works well with a smaller, nippier frontman, and had a fruitful partnership with Ross McCormack at Elland Road and Craven Cottage.
Omar Bogle (Grimsby to Wigan, £750,000-plus)
The Latics, in their last season of receiving Premier League parachute payments, spent £4m on sealing an immediate return to the Championship last season, according to CEO Jonathan Jackson.
Despite their lowly Championship position, they have a bit of financial clout, having brought in 12 players, on loan or permanent deals, this window.
Spending big on a League two striker may be a bit of a gamble, but 18 goals in his first League Two season, suggests Bogle (23) knows where the net is.
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