Bristol Rovers ‘in talks’ over shock loan move on transfer deadline day

Bristol Rovers could be set to lose a key member of Steve Evans’ squad after reports suggested that negotiations over a surprising eleventh-hour loan move were underway between the Gas and a League One side.

According to Bristol Live, midfielder Kamil Conteh “could be on the way out” of the Memorial Stadium, with Bristol Rovers said to be “in talks” with promotion-chasing Lincoln City over a loan deal for the Sierra Leone international.

The reports arrive with the announcement of several new signings expected imminently as the club battles to get deals over the line before the transfer deadline passes them by.

Kamil Conteh could be set for Bristol Rovers exit on deadline day

23-year-old midfielder Conteh has been a regular feature of the Bristol Rovers side since joining from Grimsby Town in 2024, and has played in all but two of the side’s league matches so far this season, starting 20 matches for the Gas.

In total, the London-born player has made 68 appearances for Bristol Rovers, and would likely have been involved more often were it not for injury issues. Conteh, who has earned 11 caps for Sierra Leone, scored his only league goal for the club in November’s 3-1 defeat to Accrington Stanley.

News of Conteh’s potential departure to a Lincoln side who are currently pushing for promotion to the Championship comes as an unpleasant surprise, with the player likely to play a key role in Bristol Rovers’ battle against relegation should he remain with the club.

The deal has not yet been confirmed and details of the transfer remain scarce. While the English transfer deadline has officially passed, clubs have until 9pm to announce deals if they have submitted a deal sheet to the EFL prior to the 7pm deadline.

Conteh transfer unlikely to be the only business before the end of the window

Any deal taking Conteh to Lincoln is unlikely to be the only piece of business the club announce before the close of play on Monday, with the club linked with the signings of several new players, including striker Joe Quigley, whose arrival from Oldham Atheltic is expected to be announced imminently.

Another reported deadline day target is Barnet star Ryan Glover. The Gas were one of several EFL sides reportedly bidding for Glover, but reports over his likely destination have been conflicting, with stories suggesting that he was set to join Blackpool having been refuted by the Blackpool Gazette.

Bradford City midfielder Tommy Leigh is another potential new signing, with the midfielder potentially arriving at the Memorial Stadium on a loan deal if negotiations progress as expected.

Manager Steve Evans had told the media that the club would aim to bring “three in, maybe even sneak a fourth” following the impressive 3-0 win against fellow strugglers Newport County over the weekend which gave the Gas a four point cushion above the drop zone. The race is now on to complete any possible deals before it’s too late to register new signings.