Notts County eyeing Burnley transfer raid | OneFootball

League One newcomers Notts County are lining up a move for Burnley striker Michael Mellon ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, according to reports

Notts County are undertaking preparations for life back in League One after an eleven-year absence, having gained promotion out of the fourth-tier by defeating Salford City 3-0 at Wembley back in May.

The Magpies will be joining Bromley, MK Dons and Cambridge United at League One level, bouncing back from a play-off semi-final defeat to AFC Wimbledon in the 2024/25 campaign to go one better last time out and seal a long-awaited return to the division under Martin Paterson.

It's shaping up to prove a busy summer at Meadow Lane as Paterson seeks to revamp his squad with the requisite quality to compete in League One, with the Nottinghamshire side having already made four additions and counting in the form of James Gibbons, Darius Lipsuic, Max Sanders and returning playmaker Callum Roberts.

The gap between the third and fourth-tier has been closing in recent seasons, which will give Notts sufficient encouragement of their chances back in the division if Paterson can continue to reinforce the squad across the summer months.

Indeed, County's summer window is only just getting started and the League One newcomers are in pursuit of further acquisitions in the coming weeks, which has led them to seek a deal with Burnley ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Notts County eyeing Burnley, Michael Mellon transfer raid

As reported on Friday morning by Alan Nixon of The Sun - via his exclusive Patreon service - Notts County are interested in completing a move for Burnley's Michael Mellon as Paterson strives to further bolster his frontline in preparation for the club's third-tier return.

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Nixon's report states that the East Midlands outfit are chasing Mellon's signature following a productive loan stint in League Two with Oldham Athletic, which saw the striker score 10 goals from 18 appearances across all competitions before seeing his season curtailed in December with a serious hamstring injury.

The Magpies are also aware of what sort of fee will be required to pinch Mellon's signature on a permanent basis, with Nixon adding that Burnley are demanding a sum in the region of £250,000 in order to sanction the 22-year-old's departure from Turf Moor.

A graduate of Burnley's academy, Mellon has spent a number of seasons out on loan, turning out for the likes of Morecambe, Dundee FC, Stockport County, Bradford City and most recently Oldham with varying degrees of success.

The former Scotland youth international proved a big hit with Oldham and a second stint at Morecambe, but has previously struggled to make the grade in League One, having failed to score from ten appearances at that level for Stockport and the Shrimpers.

Burnley's Michael Mellon would have serious competition at Notts County

If County are indeed capable of meeting Burnley's demands and getting a deal over the line, there's every chance that this move could represent an inspired one for all parties.

Still aged just 22, Mellon has accumulated a wealth of EFL experience and has the skillset and potential to thrive at a higher level, even if previous outings in League One have been less successful.

The powerful forward would face no shortage of competition to force his way into Paterson's side, though, with Meadow Lane already boasting a well-stocked striker stable.

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Talismanic forward Alassana Jatta, who chalked up 17 strikes across all competitions last term, will be expected to remain Paterson's first-choice striker, though Matthew Dennis also struck on 14 occasions and often partnered the Gambian as Notts romped to promotion.

Exactly what sort of role awaits Lee Ndlovu is yet to be seen, with the 31-year-old having scored just twice after joining from Barnet in January, and while Mellon would likely find himself above the ex-Boreham Wood star in Paterson's pecking order if he does end up sealing a move to the Magpies, the presence of both Jatta and Dennis may give the striker plenty to think about as he assesses his options.