THE rumour mill is in overdrive with fans' message boards awash with speculation on which players might be making a summer move to Blundell Park.
The latest mumblings centre around Billy Knott – the young midfielder who ended the season on loan at Woking.
So could Grimsby Town actually 'tie up' a deal for the Sunderland youngster?
The 20-year-old made 22 appearances for the Cards in all competitions this campaign, netting an impressive haul of ten goals in the process.
When the Mariners travelled to the Kingfield Stadium, the lively Knott adopted a shoot-on-sight policy – peppering the visiting Greg Fleming from all angles.
First he tested the Scottish stopper from outside the box before a spot of ball-juggling allowed him to lash an impressive volley just wide of the goal.
And the Canvey Island lad came closest to scoring for the hosts when he slammed a left-footer against the post from 25 yards out.
It was clear from that night that Knott is a tricky and inventive midfielder with an obvious eye for goal.
He's certainly got good pedigree as well. After joining the famed West Ham youth system at the age of 13, Knott then moved to the Hammers' near-neighbours Chelsea before being released in 2010 and heading to Sunderland.
He has gone on to make a total of 11 appearances for various England international youth sides – his latest coming for the Three Lions' under-20's team.
So it's clear that Knott has something to offer the Mariners – who, given his exploits last season, would face competition from Woking, should they want to borrow him from the Black Cats next season.
But when it comes to a game of poker with the Cards, could Rob Scott and Paul Hurst have an ace up their sleeves in Robbie Stockdale?
Town's former Youth team boss left Cheapside to join the Premier League outfit as a development coach, working with their Under-18 and Under-21 squads.
The link is there so wouldn't it be great to see it developed further to the benefit of the Mariners?
A gentle nudge from 'Stocky', and, who knows, Town fans might just be seeing Knott rattling them in at Blundell Park next season.
Speculating Town fans were also quick to point out that Wrexham skipper Dean Keates has been offered a two-year deal by an unnamed club.
The 34-year-old impressed me every time the Mariners lined up against him this season– not least in the FA Trophy final at Wembley
His tenacity in the midfield would compliment fellow midfielders Andi Thanoj and Craig Disley while his undoubted experience would be invaluable in what is a relatively young Town dressing room.
Following the departure of the likes of Derek Niven, Tom Naylor and Frankie Artus, the Mariners are certainly in desperate need of new faces in the middle of the park.
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