Exclusive: Bristol Rovers in talks with League One club over Ryan Loft departure
Bristol Rovers are understood to be in talks with Port Vale regarding a permanent transfer for Ryan Loft with the striker now in the final year of his contract. It is also believed that Loft is subject to strong interest from at least one other League One club ahead of Friday’s transfer window deadline.
The 25-year-old is one player that has been seen as a potential departure this summer and will fall further down the pecking order at the Mem should Rovers secure a deal to sign Jonson Clarke-Harris from Peterborough United.
Whether or not the club are waiting to recruit a striker before allowing Loft to depart is unclear but time is running out for a deal to be done with the window set to shut at 11pm tomorrow evening.
Should a transfer away from the Gas not be finalised in time, it is understood that the forward will not sign a new deal at the Mem if put on the table, and that this season will be his last in blue-and-white quarters.
Having played 56 times for the Gas since signing from Scunthorpe United in January 2022, Loft has scored seven goals, averaging 44 minutes per appearance.
Moreover, the Englishman was absent from the matchday squad to face Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday, the second time this season he hasn’t made the bench with just 37 minutes played.
Loft currently sits behind the likes of John Marquis, Jevani Brown and Aaron Collins in the striker department, although all are still waiting to open their goal scoring accounts for the season. Therefore, opportunities in Joey Barton’s side now look set to be slim.
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Derby County do not hold an interest in Peterborough United forward Jonson Clarke-Harris, according to reports.
Derby Telegraph journalist Leigh Curtis has dismissed talk of the Rams making a move for the transfer listed striker. Curtis said there was ‘zero truth’ behind rumours linking the forward with a move to Pride Park.
It could provide up the path for Bristol Rovers to make a move for the 29-year-old. Clarke-Harris’ name was brought up to Joey Barton last week in his post-match press conference, and he admitted that the Gas had been on the search for a striker.
A total of three clubs are said to hold an interest in League One’s joint-Golden Boot winner, who got 27 goals in 48 games last term. Bolton Wanderers are said to have been offered the chance to sign him, but passed up on the opportunity over a potential worry that he wouldn’t suit their style of play.
He was made available for transfer earlier this summer by his club, and was not included in Peterborough’s squad for their Carabao Cup win over Portsmouth in midweek.
Last night, Posh owner Darragh MacAnthony broke his silence regarding the Gas’ reported interest. A dubious social media report had gone round suggesting a deal had been agreed.
MacAnthony said: “Total nonsense. And for context no instalment owed. I paid £1.2 million for him fee wise plus paid another £400k in add ons.
“Yep I had the minerals to pay your club £1.6 million (all paid) for player in last year of his deal. He’s won 2 golden boots since then :). Not many clubs our size in L1 have minerals that size to do that.. we did & always do.”
In other news, Middlesbrough have decided against loaning out Rovers loanee Josh Coburn, despite looking set for a move to Plymouth Argyle.
Pilgrims boss Steven Schumacher believed he was close to landing one of his transfer targets last week, but that it was dependent on other factors. Michael Carrick has decided however that the 20-year-old will instead remain as part of his plans at the Riverside Stadium.
“Josh is staying with us,” said Carrick to The Northern Echo.
“It’s important for us as a club to look after our younger players, especially the ones coming through and develop and put them in the right place at the right time.
“Sometimes the right pathway changes. Coming back in pre-season, it was a case of getting to know Josh a bit more and deciding whether he went on loan or not, it was about what’s best for Josh and what’s best for us as a group and a squad.
“Over time it’s been pretty clear what Josh can bring.
“He’s back fit, looking really strong, we’re delighted to have him and all round it’s the best decision to have him with us.”
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