Stockport County have had a strong summer in terms of transfer activity, but there are still some bargain options available that could further strengthen their squad.
The Hatters are gearing up for their return to League One after a long absence, during which they fell as low as the National League North before climbing back through the divisions.
This summer, under the guidance of manager Dave Challinor and director of football Simon Wilson, the club has positioned itself well for a successful campaign in the third tier.
However, there are still some budget-friendly options they could explore. Here, Football League World examines two potential signings…
Nathan Ferguson
Nathan Ferguson has endured a difficult few years plagued by injuries, a concern that would undoubtedly resonate with County fans given the ongoing injury crisis at Edgeley Park.
These persistent injury issues led to his release from Crystal Palace this year, where he struggled to make an impact due to his fitness struggles.
However, Ferguson’s misfortune could present an opportunity for County to acquire a player who might otherwise be beyond their reach. At just 23 years old, he fits perfectly into County’s new strategy of recruiting young players with high potential who need a platform to showcase their abilities.
County’s injury woes have particularly affected their defense, especially at full-back. Ferguson, who has experience playing across the back four, could be an ideal addition if they can get him back to match fitness.
His talent is undeniable. Former Palace manager Roy Hodgson once remarked, “We were very excited about him coming to the club—we thought we had a little diamond on our hands.” Hodgson even mentioned that Ferguson was on the verge of breaking into Palace’s first team before his most recent injury at the time.
While signing Ferguson would carry some risk, with a skilled negotiator like Simon Wilson in the club’s ranks, County could potentially craft a deal that minimizes financial exposure if his injury troubles persist.
The potential rewards are significant: a player with Premier League-level talent in League One, acquired for free, with plenty of time to develop.
Dwight Gayle
One area that could still be enhanced in this County squad is the level of experience, as the team currently consists of highly talented but relatively young and inexperienced players.
Dwight Gayle was seen playing as a trialist for the Hatters in a pre-season friendly. Although he had limited involvement, leading the line solo against a strong Blackburn Rovers side, he looked sharp when he did get on the ball.
| Gayle’s experience, as per Transfermarkt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 145 | 26 | 7 |
| Championship | 145 | 62 | 21 |
| League Two | 18 | 7 | 2 |
| EFL Cup | 14 | 8 | 4 |
| FA Cup | 12 | 2 | 2 |
| League One | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| EFL Trophy | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Gayle also seemed to quickly win over the younger players, like Ethan Pye, as he was seen having an intense conversation with him while they walked off the pitch at half-time against Rovers.
Currently a free agent, and with Simon Wilson not entirely ruling out the possibility of signing the forward this summer during a recent fans’ forum, Gayle would be a strong candidate to add some much-needed experience to this squad.