The clock is ticking but there is growing optimism within Bristol Rovers that some new faces will soon start coming through the doors of The Quarters as Joey Barton is targeting a number of signings before the deadline on January 31.
Rovers could end up with anything between two and six new players but with Scott Sinclair's contract now agreed, recruitment can be firmly focused on the final 13 days of the January window which represent the last opportunity for teams to strengthen in 2022/23.
Reports on Tuesday indicated that Brentford goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe is set to sign having been recalled from his loan at Crawley Town and the Gas are certainly in a strong position should they wish to bring the 23-year-old either as competition to James Belshaw or to play as a No1.
Here are some other transfer titbits concerning Rovers...
Collins comes contract protected
Joey Barton and Aaron Collins have both shut down any potential transfer speculation this month with the manager insisting the striker is going nowhere, and the Gas’ top scorer perfectly happy where he is.
However, there was social media-based anxiety last weekend when some unverified accounts concocted the theory that Collins has a release clause in his contract signed last summer, with a claim it’s as low as £750,000.
As is probably to be expected, that figure is a complete fabrication and Bristol Live understands the 25-year-old has no such facility in his agreement so should anyone think about testing Rovers’ resolve, whether it be in this window or the next, they will have to meet whatever internal valuation the club have in mind.
Given Collins 13 goals and 10 assists this season and the fact he’s under contract until 2025 that figure is likely to be in the several millions with Rovers very much in a position of strength.
Rovers hold onto Harvey
The Gas have rebuffed several enquiries from clubs in League One and League Two for forward Harvey Saunders, Bristol Live understands.
The 25-year-old has not been a regular starter this season, with 16 of his 18 appearances coming off the bench but he has proven to be a consistently valuable asset for Joey Barton in the closing stages of matches.
With Rovers looking to make additions of their own and potentially having to shed aspects of the wage bill to make room for new arrivals there has been the mistaken belief that Saunders could be available for a transfer.
But despite the levels of interest, albeit with none actually suggesting a credible offer, Barton would ideally like to keep the forward as part of his squad even with the former Fleetwood man out of contract this summer.
Midfielder considered
Central midfield is a position in which Barton would like to strengthen over the final two weeks of the window as Sam Finley’s and then Jordan Rossiter’s injuries have highlighted it doesn’t take much for resources to all of a sudden look light in that area.
The Gas have been linked with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Marc Leonard, who’s on loan at Northampton Town, and Hibernian’s Jake Doyle-Hayes. There is no interest in the former and while the latter has been a player considered by Rovers there is no indication they will be making a move for the 24-year-old.
For such a key role, Barton will continue to be guided by the maxim that he’s not in the business of just accumulating squad players for the sake of it. Any moves Rovers make need to bring a certain wow factor and make the rest of the dressing room stand up and take notice.
Indeed, recruitment sources have told Bristol Live that the Gas have made some ultimately unsuccessful but impressively ambitious requests for players considered far above League One standard.
Thomas’ Killer blow
Alfie Kilgour is settling into life as a Mansfield Town player, with the assistance of former Gas teammate Ollie Clarke to help him adapt to his new surroundings, with Rovers all the 24-year-old has ever really known.
Although it was almost inevitable Kilgour would be leaving the Gas this month, due to his lack of football this season, his departure could well have been delayed if the Bobby Thomas situation had been conducted in a more orderly fashion.
True to Barton’s comments in the wake of his swift exit last Saturday, Bristol Live understands that Rovers had no idea the 21-year-old would be leaving the club as they sanctioned Kilgour’s move.
Had they had prior warning Thomas was to be recalled and re-loaned to Barnsley, Barton wouldn’t have let Kilgour go, at least not before the game at Accrington, as he’s now been left with just two fit senior centre-backs in Luca Hoole and James Connolly.
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