Exeter City have been recently linked with Crystal Palace midfielder Malachi Boateng, according to Alan Nixon. The club is preparing for another season in League One.
They will be joined by Northampton Town and Stevenage, with all three clubs aiming to improve on last season’s performance.
The Grecians finished 13th, just one point and one place above Northampton Town, while Stevenage achieved an impressive 9th-place finish.
However, they have lost manager Steve Evans, and it remains to be seen whether they will struggle to transition under Alex Revell next season.
Boateng, 21, has spent the last two seasons on loan in Scotland. He made 36 appearances in all competitions for Dundee FC last season and 41 for Queen’s Park the year before.
The defensive midfielder is expected to go out on loan again, with the League One trio of Exeter City, Stevenage, and Northampton Town eyeing a move this summer.
Boateng has now spent two full seasons in first team football north of the border.
He has experience in both the Scottish Championship and the top tier, and it appears Palace want him to gain more experience through another loan spell.
For the 21-year-old, spending time in England within a first-team environment would be beneficial, and League One is likely the best place for him.
It’s crucial for him to receive regular game time while on loan, which might be difficult to secure in the Championship, making the third tier the ideal league for him this season.
Making the right moves
Stevenage were only five points outside the top six last season, while Exeter City and Northampton Town were 15 and 16 points behind, respectively.
It’s unlikely that Exeter City and Northampton Town will make up enough ground to reach the top six this season, but they could certainly aim to climb into the top half of the division.
Meanwhile, Stevenage could finish inside the top six this year, though it’s hard to predict their exact performance under new management.
Boateng would be a solid addition for any of these teams, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up this summer.
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