Bristol City, Cardiff and Swansea City issued transfer warning over target

Luke Williams says it will take something 'incredible to prize away Macaulay Langstaff from Notts County amidst speculation of a possible departure with Bristol City linked.

The 25-year-old has scored 21 goals in 23 matches this season, with Notts County sitting on top of the National League, four points ahead of Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham. His form has caught the attention of many, and he has earned the nickname of the 'National League Haaland' given their form in front of goal.

Langstaff is a man reportedly in demand, with four Championship clubs linked with him in November. City, along with Cardiff City, Swansea City and Preston North End were said to be interested. PNE boss Ryan Lowe ruled out a move, whilst Cardiff are under a transfer embargo until the summer of 2024, which could scupper a move.

Notts County are not bound by a transfer window, but the respective clubs linked with him are, and January could provide an opportunity to sign Langstaff. The Midlands club however are not in a position to sell.

"It's obvious for us, these things are going to happen, but it is one thing being linked and another being serious," said County boss Williams to the Nottingham Post about the speculation linking him with a move away.

"Before Macaulay came to Notts County he was linked with everyone, teams in League One, League Two, the National League, but we were the club that were most serious."

Langstaff is pivotal to Notts County's promotion hopes with only two spots available for promotion to the Football League, and winning the title is the only automatic route. In the hot seat at Meadow Lane is Luke Williams, who is a former Bristol City coach.

He played for Bristol Rovers during his youth career, but was the Under-21's coach at City from 2017 to 2019, before taking up the role as assistant to Russell Martin at both MK Dons and later Swansea City.

Notts County have only had Langstaff since the summer after prizing him away from Gateshead after a stellar campaign in the National League North. He had attracted attention from professional clubs before his move to his current club, and looks likely to remain where he is for at least until the end of the season.

He added: "We are the club that made it happen, it is one thing to be talked about and speculated but another thing to be really serious about that.

"Macca is in a brilliant place, he has a team around him that adore him and a team that try to give him opportunities to score. He is having a fantastic season, so for Macca to leave the club at this point, it would have to take something incredible."