Football League World
·9 July 2024
Football League World
·9 July 2024
Carlton Palmer spoke to FLW to discuss Macaulay Langstaff's proposed move to Millwall
Pundit Carlton Palmer has tipped Macaulay Langstaff to score 20 goals in the Championship next season should he complete a move to Millwall.
It's been reported that the Lions have agreed a deal to sign the Notts County striker, and the 27-year-old is undergoing a medical at the club.
Langstaff scored 28 goals in League Two last season, making him the division's top scorer, and subsequently attracted interest from a number of clubs in the second tier this summer, but he looks set to complete a deal to join Neil Harris' Millwall side.
It was reported previously that Langstaff was on the radar of Coventry City, while Sunderland were also linked with the Notts County frontman back in January.
The 2023/24 season was the first time Langstaff had ever played in the EFL, having spent his career in the lower leagues, which makes a Championship side signing him a bit of a risk, but for a reported fee of just £700,000, Millwall have deemed it a risk worth taking and look set to complete a deal for the striker.
Former England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer believes that Langstaff is a great bit of business for Millwall, and has tipped the 27-year-old to be a prolific goalscorer at Championship level.
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said: "It’s been reported that Millwall are very close to sealing the signature of Macaulay Langstaff.
“Macaulay was Notts County’s top goalscorer last season. In fact, he was the League Two golden boot winner and had a fantastic season.
“It’s a fantastic story for Macaulay, from non-league football to now plying his trade in the Championship for the first time. Reports coming out say it’s a deal worth £700k and I think that’s one hell of a deal for Millwall. “This guy will score goals at this level, I have no doubt about that. The chances he has, and his conversion rate is brilliant, and I think he will score goals at this level because he has done everywhere else. "I think he’s good for 20 goals next season in the Championship, so the likes of Coventry and Sunderland will be disappointed, especially when they see the £700k fee. “Now I know people will look at that and say he’s never played in the Championship before, but if you look at the price you have to pay for a striker now in the Championship, then this is an unbelievable bit of business from Millwall. “Watch this space, I’m telling you now, if he stays fit Macaulay Langstaff will score 20 goals in the Championship next season.
“He’s playing with better players, so if you’re playing with better players, and you have an eye for a goal, which he does, it means he will still score goals. Teams have missed out, this is a coup for Millwall."
There's no doubt that it's a huge step-up from League Two to the Championship, but Langstaff won't be phased by such a move.
During the 2021/22 season, he was playing in National League North and two years later he was the top scorer in League Two, so it shows that he's capable of continuing his scoring form as he moves up the leagues, but this will be the biggest jump yet.
Langstaff will be fully aware that people will have written him off as a lower league player, and he knows he'll have to prove those people wrong, but he certainly knows where the back of the net is, and should he make a bright start to life in the Championship then the doubters will soon disappear.
Neil Harris has clearly seen something he likes, and if the striker can get anywhere near to replicating his previous scoring form when he joins Millwall, then it'll be £700,000 very well spent.