Leyton Orient have reached an agreement to complete the signing of their latest January transfer target, much to the frustration of the players current loan club, ahead of the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.
Richie Wellens’ side have undergone a transformation regarding their current league form and are now thoroughly in the mix to finish inside of the League One play-off places, whilst also overcoming Championship side Derby County to setup a dream fourth-round tie against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at home.
Unsurprisingly, the upturn of form is likely to make them a more appealing club to sign for for players during the ongoing January transfer window and this could have played a role in their latest incoming.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, Leyton Orient are set to complete the loan signing of Blackburn Rovers winger Dilan Markanday for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign, subsequently ending his loan stint with Chesterfield.
A huge boost for Leyton Orient
Markanday is a former Tottenham Hotspur youth prospect but has undergone a miniature career revival with Paul Cook’s Chesterfield in League Two this season, contributing to nine goals in 23 appearances during the first-half of the season.
Wellens’ side have tasted defeat just once since the end of October in all competitions, but a glance at their top scorer charts so far this season will highlight a potential problem, that the arrival of Markanday could help to solve.
Loanee Charlie Kelman is the club’s top scorer in League One with seven goals, but the next highest are three players on four goals each, which highlights that although the goals are being spread apart – there isn’t many reliable scorers/providers within the team.
The arrival of Markanday could provide the club with another outlet for goal contributions, which in turn would significantly strengthen their top six aspirations.
Is this the right decision?
Whenever a loan player is impressing in the league below, there is always going to be a suggestion that the player could be recalled and moved up a division and that appears to be the case here.
However, that does come with its own risks. Markanday was in superb form for Chesterfield and a fresh move could disrupt that and in turn see him take time to adapt to the improved quality of the new division.
Leyton Orient need another creative outlet if they are going to maintain their top six aspirations and for that reason, the addition of Markanday is a good decision from the club and the player, providing he can pick up where he left off.