Livingston boss David Martindale says he’s hopeful of completing a deal for Ayo Obileye from Queen of the South.
The 26-year-old Englishman has been a star performer for the Dumfries side in the Championship this term and Martindale is determined to get him to sign on the dotted line.
Our sister paper, the Daily Record, reported last week that discussions had started on a pre-contract agreement between the player and club.
Speaking to the West Lothian Courier, the Livingston boss spoke highly of Obileye, who can play as a defensive midfielder or centre-back, and has netted nine times in 27 appearances for the Doonhamers this term.
Martindale says he would add a physical prescence to the side – something he feels they’ve lacked this season despite how others may perceive the squad.
He commented: “There’s potentially a move there.
“I’ve spoken to his agent, I’ve spoken to the boy and I’ve been given really positive reports from Allan Johnston and Sandy Clark (Queen of the South boss and assistant manager).
“I’ve watched him quite a bit. He’s aggressive in both boxes. As much as we’re termed ‘big, physical long- ball Livingston’, I don’t think we actually are.
“But I do think set-plays is an area where we have to improve at both ends of the park.
“Take Jon Guthrie out of it and there’s very few goals that have come from a set-piece while we’ve lost a lot more than I’d like.”
He added: “We need to have options to be bigger and stronger and more physical because we’ve not dealt with that side of the game very well this season.
“We need to have the options within the squad that allows us to mix it up with that. You do need the physicality and the power.”
The former Sheffield Wednesday youth player has played both in midfield and defence for Queen of the South, but the Livi boss views him more in the midfield role for the Lions, if they’re able to agree a deal.
He said: “He can play both positions but I probably see him more as a defensive central midfielder.
“He’s got a great range of passing and he’s got a good right foot.
“I think he’s a player that we’d be able to make better. He’s got all the basics but I think we can help kick him on.
“I think we’d be a good option for him. But that’s all we are at this point, an option, because there’s other clubs interested.”
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