Blackpool delve into transfer market for first time this summer
Published:Blackpool have taken steps to boost their chances of staying in the Premier League this season by completing the signings of four players.
Just days ahead of their first ever Premier League fixture away at Wigan, for which they are 7/2 to open with a win, Ian Holloway has added Craig Cathcart to his squad from Manchester United and French trio Ludovic Sylvestre, Elliot Grandin and Malaury Martin.
Cathcart, who is a Northern Ireland under-21 international defender, arrives for an undisclosed fee and although he never made a first-team appearance at Old Trafford has gained previous experience at Watford and Plymouth.
Former Barcelona trainee Sylvestre has come to England from Czech side Mlada Boleslav and has sealed a two-year deal, with the option of a third year.
Winger Grandin has agreed identical terms at Bloomfield Road after making the jump from CSKA Sofia, while 21-year-old Martin has been taken on for one year after being released by Monaco.
The foursome are likely to be in contention to feature against Wigan and could help to ease rumours that manager Holloway is considering leaving the club.
Holloway’s exit has been highly speculated and is believed to be because of a host of budget discussions regarding his transfer kitty and player wage options.
A new striker has been especially targeted, although Holloway seems to have missed out on acquiring DJ Campbell from Leicester, Leeds’ Rob Hulse and free agent Marlon Harewood.
Blackpool are firm favourites to suffer relegation from the Premier League at 1/4 and a lack of goals could prove their ultimate undoing.
Charlie Adam is the 10/11 favourite to finish as their top team goalscorer, with Brett Ormerod, one of only a handful of players with Premier League experience, 13/8 and Gary Taylor-Fletcher 5/1.
Do you think Blackpool will finish highest out of the three promoted clubs from the Championship? They are 7/1 to fare better than Newcastle and West Brom.
