Stockport County have been linked with a move for Bristol City defender Haydon Roberts.
That’s according to a recent report from BristolLive, who revealed that the League One outfit are interested in the 23-year-old.
His profile, adaptability and experience perfectly suit Stockport County and manager Dave Challinor’s needs.
Roberts also hits owner Mark Stott’s criteria, making this a move the Hatters should look to tie up as quickly as they can.
Stockport show an interest in Bristol City defender
County are reportedly exploring the possibility of taking Roberts to Greater Manchester, according to Bristol Live.
The left-back came up through Brighton & Hove Albion’s academy and went on loan at Derby County, before moving to the Robins on a free transfer.
He’s been in and out of the club’s starting XI since that summer 2023 move, but took on a greater importance towards the back end of last season.
He is entered the final 12 months of his current deal, meaning this summer may represent City’s last chance to net a substantial fee for the versatile defender.
Related
Owner move shows why Stockport County must entertain Blackburn Rovers interest
Stockport County supporters were braced for interest in Ethan Pye this summer
Roberts is perfect for a Challinor side
That versatility will be a key part of the attraction for Stockport under Challinor.
Unlike many managers in the modern game, the 49-year-old is not wedded to any single formation; just as comfortable setting up a back-three system with two strikers as he is fielding wingers and a back four.
Roberts in the Championship last term, as per WhoScored
Starts (Sub)
16 (16)
Goals
1
Assists
1
Tackles per 90
0.6
Key passes per 90
0.7
Pass success rate
73
That adaptability has been key to County’s recent success, allowing the side to adapt to unexpected spells of injury and different opposition setups between games and also within games, but it hinges on players being ready to play different roles.
Roberts offers exactly that, having played left-back, left wing-back and left centre-back under Liam Manning last season, a similarly varied role to the one played by former Hatters man Ibby Touray, who recently departed on a free.
Roberts is perfect to fill that gap left by Touray and, additionally, he looks like a player who could bridge the gap between League One and the Championship – with 63 and 53 appearances in the divisions respectively – a key trait for a club like County with promotion ambitions on the mind.
Related
Stockport County keen on raiding Bolton Wanderers for defender transfer deal
Stockport County are eyeing a move for Bolton Wanderers defender Will Forrester, amid Championship interest in Ethan Pye.
The defender also suits the needs of County owner Mark Stott
Not only does Roberts make short-term sense for Challinor, it will also suit the requirements of the owner.
Stott recognises that, unlike his early days with the club in the National League, the Hatters no longer command one of the biggest budgets in the league, and as such wants to move towards a player-trading model.
That means recruiting young and cheaply, with the potential for resale value if the player kicks on.
At 23, Roberts feels like the perfect mix of experience for Challinor to use right now, and youthful potential for Stott to tap into further down the line if he kicks on at Edgeley Park.
That Roberts has entered the last year of his contract should push the price down slightly, and therefore make a profit further down the line more likely.
Recruiting Roberts satisfies a squad need, adds experience in a league County hope to climb to in the near future, may be available at a discount on his true value and is still young enough to develop further; it works on a number of fronts and should be explored further by the Hatters.