Fleetwood Town have told striker Jack Marriott that he will not be sold, according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon.
Nixon’s report states that the striker is keen on the move but has seen the door closed by his employers, with Oxford United continuing to show interest in the player. It was reported in July by TeamTalk that The U’s had had a bid of £400000 rejected by The Cod Army as they look to continue their summer rebuild.
Boss Liam Manning has already added the like of former Cardiff City forward Mark Harris and one of the key men from Notts County’s successful promotion push Ruben Rodrigues and seems determined to add the experienced striker to his ranks.
The signing of Marriott would bring a man who has scored 40 goals in just over 90 League One appearances, including 12 last season split between Peterborough United and Fleetwood.
Defeat to Cambridge United on the opening day perhaps highlights the need for another forward at the Kassam Stadium where excluding the 34-year-old Sam Baldock, there is a very inexperienced look to the striking department at least in terms of the Football League.
Fleetwood is reluctant to lose a man they only purchased in January and, alongside Jayden Stockley, adds experience as well as goals to an otherwise very youthful attacking lineup. Promise Omochere and Phoenix Patterson, both 22, were the starting strikers in yesterday’s opening-day draw at Carlisle, with Marriott making his season debut as a 63rd-minute substitute.
Marriott began his professional career with Ipswich Town and has represented sides from the Conference to the Championship, including Woking, Luton Town, Peterborough and Derby County. At present, he has 119 goals in just shy of 400 career games.
Writer’s View
Having only signed Marriott in January, for a reported fee of around £250000, Fleetwood will want the striker to be a player that can lead their charge to improve on last season’s 13th place finish.
The transfer, I believe, will depend on how high Oxford are prepared to go bidding-wise and how much the player wants the move. If Marriott is determined to seal the move, can Fleetwood afford to carry a quarter of a million-pound player who doesn’t want to be at the football club?
If they can push their rivals further toward the £500000 mark, doubling your money on a player in less than a year is probably good business particularly if the deal is concluded soon to allow them the opportunity to replace their striker before the transfer window closes on September 1st.
