Pundit Carlton Palmer believes that Notts County striker Macaulay Langstaff would be an excellent signing for Swansea City, Sunderland, Birmingham City, or Coventry City this summer.
Langstaff joined Notts from Gateshead in the summer of 2022 and made an immediate impact, scoring 41 goals in 47 games across all competitions, which played a crucial role in the Magpies’ promotion from the National League during his debut season.
| Macaulay Langstaff stats for Notts County this season (League Two only, according to Sofascore) | |
| Appearances | 46 |
| Goals | 28 |
| Minutes per goal | 144 minutes |
| Goals per game | 0.6 |
| Shots per game | 3.7 |
| Shots on target per game | 1.5 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Passing accuracy | 83% |
There were initial doubts about Langstaff’s ability to transition to League Two, but he dispelled these concerns by continuing his outstanding form, finishing as the top scorer in the EFL this season. In addition to his 28 league goals, he also netted once in the FA Cup. Despite Langstaff’s prolific performance, Notts had a disappointing second half of the season, finishing 14th in the table. With promotion hopes dashed, the club might struggle to retain him this summer.
In January, Langstaff reportedly attracted interest from several clubs, including Birmingham, Sunderland, Peterborough United, Derby County, Wrexham, Hearts, and Coventry, but he remained at Meadow Lane.
At 27, Langstaff is expected to draw significant attention again this summer. According to Wales Online, he is “a name very much on the radar” of Swansea City, managed by former Magpies boss Luke Williams.
Notts head coach Stuart Maynard recently appointed Langstaff as the club’s new captain, likely in an effort to retain him. Langstaff is under contract until the summer of 2027.
Palmer: Macaulay Langstaff could deliver in the Championship or League One
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that Langstaff would be an excellent addition for Swansea, Sunderland, Birmingham or Coventry, and he believes he would still reach the 20-goal mark in a higher division.
“A host of clubs are interested in Notts County centre-forward Macaulay Langstaff,” Palmer said.
“To name a few, Swansea are supposed to be very, very keen, the likes of Sunderland, Birmingham and Coventry have all been interested in the past.
“I know there’s this argument about the fact he’s come from non-league and he’s 27 years of age, but he’s been prolific in the National League North where he scored 28 goals for Gateshead, then he went up to the National League and scored 41 goals for Notts County, which is some record.
“Could he do it again? Yes, he went into League Two and scored 29 goals, so I don’t care what anybody is saying, he can step up and score goals.
“I’m not saying he can step up and score goals in the Premier League, but I certainly think he can step up to League One if he scored 29 goals in League Two and still get over 20 goals.
“Easily for me, I’d still have money on him getting 25 goals.
“For me, he’s the right age, he’s a man, he’s played non-league, he knows what he’s about, he knows where the back of the net is and he’s worth a gamble if you get him at the right money.
“I don’t think I’d be paying stupid money for him in terms of the £5, £10 or £15 millions, but at 27, if you said to me I could give £2, £3 or £4 million for this player and I’ve got a chance of getting a return of over 20 goals in the Championship, it’s well worth it and good business.
“He’s an old fashioned centre-forward who gets in there, gets shots on goal and gets chances, so he would be a good signing for any one of those clubs, Swansea, Sunderland, Birmingham, Coventry.
“If you create the chances, he’ll score.”