Fleetwood could follow up their promotion to League I by launching a bid to sign former Huddersfield Town skipper Peter Clarke.
The centre-back is a free agent and on the lookout for a new club after leaving Town at the end of the season.
Preston and Barnsley, who will both face Fleetwood in the third tier next season after the West coast side’s League II play-off success against Burton at Wembley, have already been linked with the 32-year-old.
But Fleetwood’s promotion, ambition and proximity to Clarke’s Southport home could be key factors.
Clarke, who made 224 appearances in four years with Town after signing from Southend, had two season at Fleetwood’s neighbours Blackpool earlier in his career.
Managed by Graham Alexander and with a squad including former Town loan striker Jon Parkin, who has scored 10 goals this season, Fleetwood’s rise has been rapid.
The current side are the third incarnation of a club founded in 1908, the same year as Town.
Established in 1997, they started out in the North West Counties League, rising through the Northern Premier League and Conference to make the Football League in 2012.
Town striker Danny Carr scored one goal in five games on loan to Fleetwood this season.
Barnsley, relegated from the Championship, are reported to be interested in former Town full-back Calum Woods as well as Clarke.
The 27-year-old Liverpool product made 81 appearances in three seasons with Town after moving from Dunfermline.
Woods, who left Anfield in 2006, can play at right or left-back and also featured in midfield for Town.
He has also been linked with Bradford, who could lose out-of-contract right-back Stephen Darby.
Town are cool on rumours linking them with the 25-year-old, who like Woods, came through the Liverpool youth system.
Bradford boss Phil Parkinson, who guided City to an 11th-placed finish in League I, is working to a trimmed budget.
But he has agreed a new three-year deal with centre-back Rory McArdle.
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