The 22-year-old is now a free agent and is available to Joey Barton now should he want to sign him. Cardoso was once worth £2.75m after being bought by West Ham from Boavista.

In a statement published on Maritimo’s website, it translated to: “Marítimo da Madeira – Futebol, SAD – informs that it reached an agreement with the athlete Gonçalo Cardoso for the termination of the contract that bound him to the institution.

“Marítimo praises the exemplary professionalism of Gonçalo Cardoso and wishes the player all the best.”

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Last Thursday’s confirmation of Connor Taylor’s return to Bristol Rovers made it eight signings for the summer so far for the Gas and we can expect more incomings before the end of the transfer window in just over three weeks’ time.

For the second time this window, Joey Barton was able to bring back a loanee from the 2021/22 promotion campaign on a permanent deal when signing Taylor, with Luke Thomas signing on a free transfer back in June.

Bringing the defender back permanently from Stoke City was always in the club’s mind and once it became clear that a transfer away from his boyhood club would be sanctioned, Rovers made their move.

Additionally, the deal to bring the 21-year-old back to the Mem is the first of the summer that has warranted Rovers paying a transfer fee, with Bristol Live understanding the fee for Taylor is in the region of £300,000

With six permanent signings in Jevani Brown (attacking midfielder), Thomas (right-winger), James Wilson (centre-back), George Friend (left-back), Matt Hall (goalkeeper) and Taylor as well as Brentford loanees Matt Cox (goalkeeper) and Tristan Crama (centre-back), Barton undoubtedly has a much better crop of players to work with this season. But what else can we expect from the Gas and where else do they need to strengthen in the remaining weeks of the transfer window?

If you assess the available options in all areas of the pitch, midfield is easily the lightest in terms of bodies. Sam Finley and Grant Ward both had good games on Saturday and with the former named as club captain, you would expect to see him on the pitch regularly at least. However, beyond those two, there are few alternatives.

Jordan Rossiter is still expected to be out for a while with no timescale on his return as the defensive midfielder recovers from a knee injury that has kept him out of action since December.

Meanwhile, a return for Luke McCormick is expected soon and Josh Grant managed to get himself some minutes at Fratton Park at the weekend. The doubts with them though relays to how long they can maintain fitness before suffering an injury again.

There is evidence to argue that playing Antony Evans as a more advanced midfielder in a central pairing could work but the 24-year-old may be given restricted licence to offer his creativity and attacking prowess in an eight role and thus the Gas wouldn’t be playing to his strengths.

Realistically, a six is the type of midfielder Barton needs. Rovers have done well to solidify their backline this season after conceding a worrying 73 in League One last term but could do with the extra protection. Additionally, quick transitions will be necessary for this new style of play and the Gas haven’t got that quite spot on yet.

Finley did well to set the pace of the game at Portsmouth, particularly in the first-half, playing the metronome role if you like but the season will produce at least 50 more games and having him and Grant as the only options available regularly isn’t sustainable.

Similarly to the midfield situation, it looks as though Barton has his current two favourites in Lewis Gordon and Luca Hoole, but when it comes to back-up options, again it feels light.

James Gibbons is closing in on a return to the side which will give Hoole good competition on the right whilst centre-back Crama has also played there during pre-season. Although, there is still no known target date for summer signing Friend on the opposite flank.

Moreover, turning 36 in October and signing a one-year deal, isn’t an option for the long-term on the pitch. Although, his experience and knowhow currently makes him a highly valued presence within the group. Additionally, being able to also play at centre-back is a bonus.

There is also the argument of whether the club would look to recruit full-backs to take current first-picks Hoole and Gordon out for the starting line up with both still very young at 21 and 22 respectively. However, in regards to Hoole, Barton has already stated publicly how highly he rates the youngster who had a very constructive pre-season.

Two natural options on either side with at least 50 matches left to play isn’t too enthusing, especially when considering how keen the club are to progress up the league this season.

Although the front four looked frequently fluid on Saturday and throughout pre-season, there’s certainly room for a striker.

Youngster Harvey Greenslade is expected to go out on loan whilst Ryan Loft doesn’t currently look to be in the manager’s plans having been left out of the squads for Portsmouth and the friendlies against Chesterfield and Swansea City.

Obviously, there’s still plenty of time for things to materialise in the final weeks of the window but, as things stand, it is looking more likely by the week that Aaron Collins will still be a Bristol Rovers player come September.

Regardless of whatever happens with last season’s League One player of the season, another forward option could only do the side good.

As previously reported by Bristol Live prior to the club’s official announcement that Hussain AlSaeed had become the club’s new chairman, extra investment is expected to be provided to the playing budget this window as part of the deal. Having spent a transfer fee on just one of the eight current recruits, there is still money to be spent.

Jevani Brown has already looked as though he will cause defences major issues this season, registering his first assist of the season on Saturday, but the bigger and better the squad, the more likely the club’s ambitions can be reached and they are certainly big.

As previously reported by Bristol Live prior to the club’s official announcement that Hussain AlSaeed had become the club’s new chairman, extra investment is expected to be provided to the playing budget this window as part of the deal. Having spent a transfer fee on just one of the eight current recruits, there is still money to be spent.

Jevani Brown has already looked as though he will cause defences major issues this season, registering his first assist of the season on Saturday, but the bigger and better the squad, the more likely the club’s ambitions can be reached and they are certainly big.