Dempsey deal a top priority for Fleetwood

Young Player of the Year Dempsey put in some sparkling performances during his season-long loan from Championship club Huddersfield and now the Gazette understands the deal could become a permanent one.

It would be a major signal of intent to the rest of the division if Town were to splash the cash, with a host of Championship and fellow League One clubs reportedly chasing the midfielder.

Dempsey, 21, joined the Terriers from Carlisle in 2015 and his three-year deal is set to expire next summer. Huddersfield could be tempted to sell Dempsey but only for a figure believed to be in excess of the £300,000 they spent on the young hot-shot, with Town understood to be at the front of the queue.

Town’s League One rivals MK Dons and Charlton were sniffing round the midfield dynamo in January.

Huddersfield rejected a bid believed to be in the region of £100,000 from Charlton in that transfer window but it looks like the Terriers will now be tempted to part with the Cumbrian.

The Cod Army voted Dempsey their Young Player of the Year due to his tenacious performances on the right of Town’s midfield three.

Completing the deal would be a major boost for the club as Dempsey was a key figure in an incredible season that saw Town finish fourth in the table and just miss out on a place in the play-off final at Wembley, losing 1-0 on aggregate to Bradford.

After Town made George Glendon’s loan deal from Manchester City permanent in January, it appears Dempsey may follow suit this summer.