Football Insider reports that Huddersfield Town, Queens Park Rangers and Derby County will compete for Blackpool attacker CJ Hamilton.
Although new terms have not yet been agreed upon, the Lancashire team chose to activate the winger’s one-year contract extension last summer. As things stand, he is free to leave Bloomfield Road at the end of the current campaign.
Following their relegation from the Championship in May, the winger, who joined the Seasiders in 2020 after leaving Mansfield Town, has become a hit for the team and has once again played a key role this season in League One.
With one goal and six assists this season, he has already surpassed his goal total from the previous campaign. Blackpool is currently in eighth place, and their only goal differential is keeping them out of the play-off spots.
Many possible suitors have taken notice of his form; according to Football Insider, QPR and Huddersfield are two teams from the second division that could be interested in hiring him in January. In addition to Derby, rumours have it that Blackpool is anticipating offers in the new year and may be open to accepting them to reduce the possibility of losing the former Sheffield United prospect for nothing.
The two Championship teams that have been mentioned are in the midst of a relegation struggle and are searching for reinforcements to help them get off to a strong start. Hamilton isn’t particularly known for his ability to score goals, but as a forward, he can provide something unique, something that both
Conversely, Derby, who are tied for first place in League One, are playing for promotion this year. Targeting the former Republic of Ireland international would bolster their roster while simultaneously undermining a team that is fighting for a play-off spot.
Hamilton has started each of Blackpool’s 18 league games this year, and he’s probably going to stay in the starting lineup when they visit Portsmouth, the league’s unbeaten team, on Saturday.
Writer’s Opinion
This is the time of year when speculation about players who have a few months left on their contract starts to circulate. Given that Hamilton is a player who can compete in both League One and the Championship, interest in him is certain.
These connections are readily established, and there’s probably some truth to it—though it’s also possible that his agent is trying to move up any prospective contract talks. Although Blackpool is unlikely to approve of a departure to Derby County, a team that is also vying for promotion, they might accept a bid if a team from the higher division approaches them.
