'Final stages' - Bristol Rovers close in on first signing of January transfer window

Bristol Rovers are ‘closing in’ on what will be their first signing of the January transfer window, according to a report.

The Bristol Post are reporting that the Gas have met the release clause of Grimsby Town midfielder Kamil Conteh. It could end up being a ‘club-record deal’ which would eclipse the £370,000 paid for Andy Tillson in 1992 according to reporter Dan Hargraves. 

Talks are at the ‘final stages’ and personal terms are not expected to be an issue. Conteh was subject of interest from several high division clubs and now Grimsby will make a profit on a player they signed from Middlesbrough in the summer.

Should Rovers complete a deal for him either on Monday or Tuesday, it would be too late for him to make his debut against Exeter City on Tuesday (January, 23). Conteh could make his first appearance in the blue-and-white quarters against Oxford United this coming Saturday (January 27), however.

The 21-year-old has made 28 appearances in all competitions this season for the Mariners, making 26 starts. He is a combative midfielder but has registered two assists this term in League Two. League Two is the highest standard of club football that Conteh has played at but he is also an eight-time Sierra Leone international. Conteh's former clubs include Middlesbrough and Watford, as well as Braintree.

Rovers have been in need of a midfielder this month following the loan cancellations of both Lamare Bogarde and Ryan Woods. Bogarde returned to Aston Villa and is expected to go to either the Championship or Aberdeen, whilst Woods is likely to leave the club again, probably on loan with his contract running until 2025. 

The Gas have been hit with injuries in the midfield department in recent weeks too. Club captain Sam Finley did not play in the 2-1 defeat to Blackpool and Grant Ward is expected to miss over a month-and-a-half of action with a hamstring injury. Jordan Rossiter is a long-term absentee and has not played since December 2022.