Bristol Rovers are yet to secure a signing in the summer transfer window but that shouldn’t, despite the obvious longing for deals into the club, create any anxiety with just six additions made by their League One rivals so far, three of those by newly-promoted Stevenage.
The Gas have confirmed new contracts for midfielder Grant Ward, Josh Grant and young forward Harvey Greenslade and it is very much early days in a summer in which they are likely to conclude multiple deals.
There are no imminent announcements expected but activity should slowly start to pick up from next week, with the window officially opening on Wednesday, and beyond as the start of pre-season is just over two weeks away. Here is a round-up of transfer news involving the Gas…
Heads or Tayls?
It won’t come as a huge surprise to learn that Bristol Rovers are interested in bringing Connor Taylor back to the Mem on loan after a frustrating campaign spent predominantly on the sidelines for Stoke City.
Taylor was retained by Michael O’Neill despite the Gas proposing both a temporary and permanent move for the 21-year-old after he had played such a crucial role in the promotion season out of League Two, but Taylor made just 18 sporadic appearances.
Bristol Live understands the chances of Stoke loaning him out this summer are, to some degree, higher than 12 months ago as the Potters are planning to have an active summer in the market with around 10 signings being targeted, across multiple positions. Plus the fact Taylor himself is desperate for consistent first-team football after what has proved to be a slightly stagnant 12 months.
However, on the other hand, Taylor is one of only two senior centre-backs on the books alongside Ben Wilmot, so any move to let him out is based on Alex Neil being able to make a number of additions in that area of the field.
The question for Rovers therefore is whether they wait it out, and potentially risk not getting him at all should Stoke fail to sign enough defensive reinforcements, or turn to other options in the position.
Upson on the market
Former Rovers midfielder Ed Upson raised some eyebrows last summer when he swapped EFL football to return to boyhood club Stowmarket Town in the Isthmian League North Division, dropping down four divisions.
On a personal level it proved a successful season with the 32-year-old named in the division’s Team of the Season and as Stowmarket’s top scorer with seven goals, beating his five-goal haul for the Gas over 121 appearances between 2018 and 2021.
However, Upson is now a free agent having reached an agreement with the club over the final year of his contract and is now on the free agent market again.
In a post on his Twitter page, Upson wrote: “After my first season in non league I’m proud to be named in (the) team of the season and finish top scorer at Stowmarket. Thanks for all your support and all the best going forward!”
Koiki a man in demand
Another member of Rovers’ unfortunate relegation squad in 2020/21 is Ali Koiki who, like Upson, was also released that summer but the left-back has built his career back up again with Northampton Town.
Having been a regular for the Cobblers over the last two seasons, making 74 appearances and establishing himself as one of the best left-backs in League Two, the 23-year-old is now at the centre of intense transfer interest.
Football Insider report that Scottish Premiership clubs Aberdeen and St Mirren, plus League One rivals Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers are interested in signing the powerful defender on a free transfer after he rejected Northampton’s offer of an extension.
Koiki was recognised as a talented player at Rovers, having signed from Burnley, but after just 13 appearances over an injury-hit campaign, the club weren’t confident they could keep him fit for a sustained period of time.
Rovers ‘legend’ released
Josh Kay has his place in Bristol Rovers history assured after his goal for Barrow against Northampton at the end of the 2021/22 ensured the Gas’ 7-0 victory over Scunthorpe United was enough to take them up.
The 26-year-old is now leaving Barrow on a free transfer after the club were unable to agree terms with the versatile full-back ending his five-year stay at Holker Street where he made 189 appearances.
In a post on social media, Kay said: “Though I could be a pain at times I hope that I brought you some good memories you won't forget. This club will always be a big part of my life and holds a special place in my heart.”
He also got a small tribute from Rovers with the club responding to Barrow’s announcement with the message, “A true Rovers legend” and a pirate emoji.
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