Wycombe Wanderers have to beat Bradford City & Huddersfield Town in transfer race for Michael Duff favourite | OneFootball

Wycombe Wanderers must win the race to sign Devante Cole and reunite the forward with Michael Duff.

Wycombe Wanderers must win the race to secure the services of Port Vale striker Devante Cole this winter, as a reunion with Michael Duff could solve the club's goalscoring woes.

The 30-year-old is of interest to a number of League One clubs in the dying embers of the January transfer window, as Football League World exclusively revealed on Tuesday.

Luton Town reportedly made the first approach to sign Cole, but have now been joined by Huddersfield Town, Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers, and Wycombe in the hunt to secure his services before the window closes on Monday.

The striker arrived at Port Vale in the summer following his release from West Brom, but is now seeking a move higher up the League One table after scoring six goals in 19 league appearances for Jon Brady's side.

With that in mind, Wycombe must try their best to win the race to sign the experienced forward, as reuniting him with his former manager in Duff could bring some much-needed firepower to a rather blunt attack at Adams Park.

Lack of a consistent goalscorer proving to be a big headache for Michael Duff at Wycombe Wanderers

Wind back the clock 12 months, and the last position a Wycombe fan would've said they needed was a striker. Both Richard Kone and Daniel Udoh were doing an excellent job at finding the net on a fairly regular basis between them.

Now, with both of those players gone, Wanderers have been left with Bradley Fink and Cauley Woodrow to carry the responsibility of finding the back of the net, and it's fair to say it hasn't gone well.

Fink was the exciting big money number nine signing in the summer, arriving from FC Basel with an exceptional pedigree, having scored goals for fun in Borussia Dortmund's youth ranks, which saw him likened to a certain Erling Haaland.

However, the 22-year-old has seriously struggled in England thus far, making just two league starts, and still awaiting his first league goal for the Chairboys, despite netting twice in the EFL Trophy.

Regardless of his struggles, there is something about Fink that makes you believe he will eventually come good. His efforts can't be faulted, but the weight of that first league goal on his shoulders is clearly weighing him down currently.

On the other hand, a man who made a fast start to life at Wycombe was Woodrow, who was one of four rather panicked signings made on summer deadline day, arriving from Luton on loan.

The 31-year-old netted on debut, but has only managed to register two more league goals since then, and has come under fire from supporters for sitting too deep and not getting into goalscoring positions.

It's clear Woodrow also isn't the answer, as his game is much more focused around the build-up play, rather than the actual scoring part, and with Sam Bell recalled, Fred Onyedinma has been left as a makeshift striker, which isn't sustainable in the long-term.

Wanderers need to add an experienced goalscorer to their ranks, which is easier said than done, particularly in January. However, with the situation unfolding at Vale Park currently, Duff must pounce to land one of his former stars.

Wycombe Wanderers must oust Bradford City and Huddersfield Town to secure Michael Duff, Devante Cole reunion

Finding a proven striker at League One level in January without paying a premium price is a massive task, but plenty of clubs have honed in on Port Vale's Cole, who looks set to depart the club bottom of the division.

The Valiants are in serious trouble this season, sitting at the foot of the League One table, 12 points adrift from safety. Cole's goals have been the only real positive for Brady's side this season, who look set for a straight return to League Two.

This has seen plenty of clubs higher up the division take an interest in signing the 30-year-old, with FLW revealing that play-off contenders Bradford, Huddersfield, Bolton, and Wycombe are all in hot pursuit of striking a late deal to sign him.

Whilst the competition is hefty, this is a race that the Chairboys must ensure they win. The signing of Cole just makes sense in every aspect, and whilst it may not be flashy, it's sensible.

Firstly, his goalscoring record at the level speaks for itself. 71 goals in 268 appearances in the third tier is a strong return, and 39 of those have come in his last three seasons in the league.

Cole has previously worked under Wycombe boss Duff at Barnsley. In the 2022/23 campaign, the 47-year-old led the Tykes to Wembley, with the forward scoring 15 goals for his side that particular season, so there will be plenty of tactical familiarity for Cole.

Wanderers need someone who can come in and hit the ground running without breaking the bank, and the former Manchester City academy star ticks all three boxes, making him the ideal signing for the Buckinghamshire side.

With that in mind, Wycombe must ensure they pip their League One rivals to Cole's signature in the last few days of the transfer window, as he looks to be the best bet when it comes to solving their goalscoring woes.