Notts County and Wigan Athletic in race to sign 26-year-old | OneFootball

Notts County and Wigan Athletic have both set their sights on the defender

Notts County have earned their place back in the third tier of English football after their triumph in the play-offs.

The Magpies haven’t competed in League One since 2015, and were a non-league side as recently as 2023.

Martin Paterson’s side finished fifth in the League Two table before eliminating Chesterfield and Salford City in the play-offs.

The club will now be aiming to build a team capable of competing in the third division next season, with their sights set on continuing their climb back up the football pyramid.

It could be a busy summer at Meadow Lane, as Paterson will be keen to bolster his first team squad for life in League One.

Notts County will be hoping to avoid battling relegation, but they will have to improve their first team options.

Notts County eyeing Accrington Stanley deal

Action Images

It has been reported by Football Insider that Notts County are among the clubs eyeing a move for Devon Matthews.

It’s understood that the Accrington Stanley defender is in-demand this summer following his impressive performances in League Two.

The 26-year-old featured 40 times in the fourth division, registering one goal and one assist, as the team finished 16th in the table.

However, the Magpies will face competition from League One rivals Wigan Athletic, who are also looking to improve their defensive options for next season.

Gary Caldwell’s side finished 16th in the third division, 19 points adrift of the play-off places, so it could be a busy summer as the Latics look to bridge that gap in the transfer market.

Matthews has spent two seasons with Accrington Stanley, and has cemented himself as a key part of the first team squad in that time.

This has led to him attracting a lot of interest, with the transfer market now open until 1 September.

Chesterfield are also believed to be keen on the defender, although they will not be able to offer Matthews that chance to jump up from League Two to League One.

But the newly-promoted Cambridge United are tracking the 26-year-old, and they can offer him third tier football next season.

There are several sides set to compete for his signature, with the player’s contract running until June 2027.

It remains unclear what kind of fee it will take to convince Accrington Stanley to cash in, but this will be their last opportunity to profit from Matthews’ progress.

Otherwise, they risk losing him for nothing in 2027.

Devon Matthews is ready for the step up to League One

Matthews stood out for an otherwise unspectacular Accrington side, so transfer interest was always sure to follow.

A move to Notts County will be appealing as they are a club on the rise and with grand ambition, and working under Paterson could be an exciting option.

It will be difficult for Chesterfield to get into the mix for his signature at this stage, and that’s the consequence of losing out in the play-offs.

The defender is ready for the jump up to League One, and it now just seems a matter of when and not if this summer.