Notts County: Macaulay Langstaff comparison drawn after transfer sealed for "handful" striker | OneFootball

Notts County have signed a striker with just one goal last season for Dundee but Richard Montague and the Reedtz brothers have been praised...

Notts County are back in League One and eyeing improvements this summer, having sold striker Matthew Dennis to Burton Albion and arguably needing reinforcements in attack.

MK Dons were the only side to score more than Notts County in League Two in 2025/26, with Martin Paterson adding Callum Roberts to his side to join the likes of Alassana Jatta and Lee Ndlovu to bolster his ranks next term.

But Matthew Dennis scored 14 in 45 games and he could be a big loss, which perhaps explains Notts' recent interest in Dundee striker Emile Acquah currently. That transfer has been completed on Wednesday, with Acquah penning a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old came through the ranks with Southend United and he has experience in League One and League Two with the likes of Southend, Barrow, and Harrogate Town. However, he scored just once after moving to Dundee in June 2025.

Could Emile Acquah be a surprise Notts County package in League One?

FLW's Notts County fan pundit Gareth Parr was asked about the fact Notts are signing the Dundee striker on a permanent deal. The 25-year-old made 17 appearances last season for the Scottish side, scoring once in the cup and blanked in 13 league appearances - not exactly prolific.

However, given a previous County favourite shone in the EFL despite having no experience at the level, Parr believes Acquah could surprise everyone and bang in the goals at Meadow Lane.

"It could be another Macauley Langstaff, I guess?" Gareth told FLW.

"No one really knows. I've seen him for about 20 minutes when he came on for Harrogate against Notts at the end of last season.

"It seems like he could potentially be a handful. With Dennis moving on, there definitely are some gaps. You know Ryley Reynolds will probably go out on loan again for another season. He's getting ready, but I don't think he's probably ready yet to step up to full time EFL.

"So, it will be interesting to see. He will possibly be used as an impact sub to start. But, I guess, with Jatta and Ndlovu, they both provide a similar kind of threat and he would provide that other angle of attack, potentially.

"He's a bit more of an on the ground, running style of attacker. It could be a useful signing. I am sure the brothers will have done their homework and he will fit their model if that's who they're going for.

"And, obviously, the recruitment under [Richard] Montague has always been really good. I'm excited to see what he can offer."

Notts County supporters have to have total faith in the Reedtz Brothers

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Notts County supporters have every reason to place their trust in the Reedtz brothers and the recruitment model that has transformed the club's fortunes in recent years via multiple promotions and promotion challenges.

Time and again, the owners have identified players who may not have generated much excitement upon arrival but have gone on to become key performers and significantly increase their value. Their data-led approach has consistently unearthed undervalued talent, proving to fans that first impressions do not always tell the full story.

While some signings may initially appear unconventional, the Reedtz brothers have earned the benefit of the doubt through an impressive track record of getting far more right than wrong. That trust in the model and faith in the brorhers will be more important than ever in League One, where Notts County are no longer among the division's biggest fish.

Finding hidden gems and exploiting inefficiencies in the market could provide the competitive edge required to establish themselves at a higher level. Even if they sometimes identify what looks like a strange signing, you have to accept that they are great at identifying undervalued talent.

That extra edge is going to be key to consolidating in the division, with a profile like Emile Acquah perhaps being yet another example of them finding something others cannot.