Notts County are preparing for life in League One after an eleven-year absence, having gained promotion out of the fourth-tier by defeating Salford City 3-0 at Wembley back in May.

What's the latest on Notts County's transfer plans?

The Magpies will be joining Bromley, MK Dons and Cambridge United at League One level, bouncing back from a play-off semi-final defeat to AFC Wimbledon in the 2024/25 campaign to go one better last time out and seal a long-awaited return to the division under Martin Paterson.

Who is Michael Mellon?

As reported on Friday morning by Alan Nixon of The Sun, Notts County are interested in completing a move for Burnley's Michael Mellon as Paterson strives to further bolster his frontline in preparation for the club's third-tier return.

Nixon's report states that the East Midlands outfit are chasing Mellon's signature following a productive loan stint in League Two with Oldham Athletic, which saw the striker score 10 goals from 18 appearances across all competitions before seeing his season curtailed in December with a serious hamstring injury.

What's the fee for Michael Mellon?

The Magpies are also aware of what sort of fee will be required to pinch Mellon's signature on a permanent basis, with Nixon adding that Burnley are demanding a sum in the region of £250,000 in order to sanction the 22-year-old's departure from Turf Moor.

With Notts County having already made four additions and counting in the form of James Gibbons, Darius Lipsuic, Max Sanders and returning playmaker Callum Roberts, the gap between the third and fourth-tier has been closing in recent seasons, which will give Notts sufficient encouragement of their chances back in the division if Paterson can continue to reinforce the squad across the summer months. As of the end of the 2025/26 season, Notts County stood 5th in League Two with 80 points, having scored 74 goals and conceded 52, and are now 7 points behind leaders Bromley, with their last result being a 3-0 win over Salford City on 2026-05-25, and are on a 2-game winning run with a recent form of 3W-2D-0L.