Burnley are being linked with a £250,000 move for 22‑year‑old forward Michael Mellon, with newly promoted Notts County reportedly ready to meet the fee.

Who is Michael Mellon and why is he on the radar?

Mellon, a product of the Burnley academy, has spent the last few seasons on loan spells across the lower leagues. He netted 10 goals in 18 games for Oldham Athletic in League Two before a hamstring injury halted his progress in December. His previous stints at Morecambe, Dundee, Stockport County and Bradford City have given him a solid EFL résumé, though he struggled to score in ten League One appearances for Stockport.

What does Notts County want and can they afford it?

Notts County manager Martin Paterson, fresh from securing promotion back to League One, is keen to add firepower to his squad. According to Alan Nixon of The Sun, the Magpies have identified Mellon as a target to bolster their frontline for the 2026/27 season. Burnley’s asking price sits around £250,000, a figure the East Midlands side believes they can meet to secure the striker’s services.

How would the move affect Burnley’s squad?

Losing Mellon would thin Burnley’s pool of young attacking options, but the club still boasts a deep roster. They sit 19th in the Premier League with 22 points from 38 games, a recent form of 0W‑4D‑1L (DDDDL) and a last result of a 1‑1 draw with Wolves on 24 May 2026. Their goal tally stands at 38 scored and 75 conceded, leaving them 37 behind rivals. Even without Mellon, the Clarets will look to other academy graduates and seasoned forwards to chase survival.

What are the chances the deal goes through?

County have already added four new faces—James Gibbons, Darius Lipsuic, Max Sanders and Callum Roberts—so their budget is already stretched. Yet Paterson’s ambition to build a competitive League One side may push the board to stretch for Mellon. If the fee is paid, the 22‑year‑old could finally settle at a club where he can develop beyond loan spells, while Burnley recoup a modest sum to reinvest.

What does this mean for Notts County’s season?

Should the transfer materialise, Mellon would join a County side eager to cement their return to League One after an eleven‑year absence. His experience across the lower tiers could prove valuable as the Magpies aim to avoid a repeat of last season’s play‑off disappointment. Fans will be watching closely to see if the club can meet Burnley’s demands and add a proven goal‑scorer to their ranks.