Stockport County are making an ambitious approach to sign out-of-contract Northampton defender Fraser Horsfall, according to reports.

The 25-year-old was one of the best players in League Two last season and Dave Challinor is hoping to persuade the Huddersfield-born centre-back to sign on at Edgeley Park.

Horsfall, a strong defender who is good in both boxes, netted nine goals in 53 appearances across all competitions for the Cobblers in 2021/22.

His contribution helped Jon Brady’s side reach the play-offs and, but for Bristol Rovers’ 7-0 win against Scunthorpe on the final day, would have been promoted automatically.

According to FLW, the Hatters are in talks with the 6ft 3″ defender with regards to a move back north with the newly promoted side. Stockport won the National League title to return to the EFL for the first time in 11 years and they are hoping to carry that momentum into the new season.

If Horsfall were to leave Northampton it would be a bitter blow to the Cobblers. No player in League Two won more challenges (781) than Horsfall during the 2021/22 campaign and his partnership with fellow defender John Guthrie was the foundation to a successful season for the club.

He also won more aerial duels (571) than any player in England’s fourth tier last season, something Challinor, an ex-defender himself, will be well aware of. He was part of the InStat Football League Two Team of the Season which bases selection on a number of performance-based statistics.

Stockport have already been busy in the transfer window this summer bringing in Kyle Wooton from Notts County and Akil Wright from York City.

They also bagged former Torquay pair Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Joe Lewis to add to an already successful squad.