Cobblers to firm up Jacobs interest after League Two play-offs
Northampton will firm up their interest in Michael Jacobs once they know which division they will be playing in next season.
The News understands the Cobblers are keen on a reunion with their former player, whose current Fratton Park deal expires at the end of next month.
That interest has been registered with both the Blues and Jacobs – but a potential move and subsequent contract offer hinges on Jon Brady’s side’s league status next term.
After being dramatically gazumped by Bristol Rovers for League Two’s third and final automatic promotion place on goal difference on the last day of the season, the Sixfields Stadium outfit now find themselves preparing for a play-off battle.
That began on Saturday evening with a semi-final first-leg trip to Mansfield – which the hosts won 2-1 at Field Mill - followed by the reverse fixture on Wednesday, May 18.
The winners of that tie will then face either Swindon or Port Vale for the one remaining promotion place to League One.
A return to the third tier at the first time of asking will see a concerted Northampton move to bring Jacobs back to his former stomping ground.
But until then, the 30-yearold Fratton favourite will remain a player of interest and one they have aspirations of signing.
Of course, Pompey could scupper such ambitions, with the Blues having a one-year option on the former Derby and Wigan ace, whose influence on Danny Cowley’s side grew as the 2021-22 season progressed.
The Blues boss has expressed a desire to keep a player who scored seven goals in 32 appearances this term.
A pay-as-you-play deal has been mooted, given Jacobs’ injury record during his two seasons at Fratton Park.
However, TheNews understands that such a deal would be rejected.
Meanwhile, it is also understood that the Blues are yet to table an offer for Jacobs to consider.
That leaves his future very much up in the air, giving Northampton hope that a player who made 100 appearances for them at the very beginning of his career will become available for a free transfer in the coming weeks.
The Cobblers, irrespective of where they’ll be playing next season, will no doubt face competition for Jacobs’ services, though.
He came close to joining Ipswich last summer, while Doncaster Rovers were in talks with him over a potential move to the Keepmoat Stadium in January.
*Charlton are reportedly weighing up a move for former Pompey striker John Marquis.
It’s understood the 29-year-old is an option the managerless Addicks are currently exploring, with the Lincoln forward due to leave Sincil Bank upon the expiration of his short-term contract in June.
Marquis moved to the Imps in January after being told he had no long-term future at Fratton Park.
He departed PO4 with a goal return of 36 from 121 appearances during his second spell at the club.
He finished his Imps stay with a record of five goals from 20 games.