Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Matt Butcher is reportedly on the radar of three League One rivals – Shrewsbury Town, Bristol Rovers, and Northampton Town – ahead of the January transfer window.
The 27-year-old has been a key part of Wycombe’s midfield this season, featuring in 20 games and contributing two assists. With the Chairboys sitting at the top of League One under Matt Bloomfield’s leadership, the club now faces a decision about Butcher’s future amid rising interest.
League Rivals Target Butcher
According to Football League World, all three clubs are monitoring Butcher as they look to strengthen in January. Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers, in particular, are keen to bolster their midfield ranks, while Northampton Town are also believed to be in the mix despite their managerial vacancy.
Wycombe brought Butcher in during the January transfer window last year, and he has since established himself as a dependable option in midfield. His contributions have been vital as the Chairboys push for promotion to the Championship, where they currently lead the table by a single point over Birmingham City.
Butcher’s career began in the academy system at AFC Bournemouth, where he progressed through the youth ranks before earning two senior appearances. Seeking regular football, the Portsmouth-born midfielder took part in several loan spells, including stints at Gosport Borough, Poole Town, Woking, Yeovil Town, and Scottish side St Johnstone.
His consistent performances led to a permanent move to Accrington Stanley in 2020, where he spent two seasons before joining Plymouth Argyle. During his time with the Pilgrims, he made 66 appearances, scoring twice, and played a significant role in their success.
Upon signing for Wycombe, Butcher spoke about his motivation to join the club, saying:
“With the success we had last year (at Plymouth), I was itching to continue that but obviously didn’t play a great deal at the start of the season. That was on my mind after playing so much (last season) and wanted to come to a place where it was a similar sort of feeling, with a similar sort of people, and the togetherness and group ethic is very similar.
“That was a massive driving force in terms of me joining and hopefully we can climb the table before the end of the season.”
What’s Next for Wycombe and Butcher?
As interest from Shrewsbury, Bristol Rovers, and Northampton grows, Wycombe will need to decide whether to cash in on Butcher or keep him for their promotion campaign. With two of the interested clubs currently without permanent managers, any potential bids could come down to the wire as January unfolds.
Writer’s View
Butcher has proven to be a reliable presence in Wycombe’s midfield, and losing him in January could disrupt their momentum at the top of League One. While it’s no surprise that his performances have drawn attention, the Chairboys must weigh up the short-term benefits of keeping him against the potential financial gains of a mid-season sale. With Wycombe firmly in the promotion race, retaining Butcher could prove vital to their Championship aspirations.
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