Bristol Rovers are set to hijack Notts County’s loan move for a young Championship striker.

Bristol Rovers are set to hijack Notts County’s loan move for young Cardiff City striker Michael Reindorf, according to deadline day reports.

The 19-year-old forward was on Inigo Calderon’s shortlist but had been expected to move to Meadow Lane on a loan deal, with a short-term deal already agreed between Cardiff and the League Two club – but the Gas are now swooping in ahead of Notts County to complete a loan deal of their own.

Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke reports that Reindorf is travelling to Bristol this morning to undergo a medical ahead of signing a deal which would take him to the Memorial Stadium for the rest of the season, as Rovers “advance in talks” with Cardiff at the eleventh hour.

Reindorf would become Rovers’ fourth signing of the winter transfer window, following the arrivals of experienced midfielder Romaine Sawyers on a free transfer, a loan deal for Wycombe Wanderers’ Matt Butcher and the deadline day capture of Aston Villa defender Sil Swinkels.

Who is Michael Reindorf?

The London-born teenager is a product of West Ham United’s youth academy and also spent time with Leyton Orient and Norwich City before joining Cardiff last July on a free transfer following the termination of his contract with the Canaries.

Reindorf has made two substitute appearances for the Bluebirds in the Championship, making his league debut in a 2-2 draw against Coventry City in December, but has yet to score a goal for his current club. He had previously made his senior debut on loan at non-league outfit Kettering Town, for whom he scored two goals in 12 appearances earlier in the second half of the 2023/24 season.

Reindorf has also featured in the current EFL Cup campaign, ironically making his Cardiff debut as a substitute against Bristol Rovers in a 2-0 first round win. He then made his first start for Cardiff in the 5-3 second-round defeat to Southampton.

Who will Bristol Rovers sign on deadline day?

Bristol Rovers are expected to be in the market for further deadline day additions following the signing of Aston Villa centre-half Sil Swinkels, but new head coach Calderon struck a cautious note with his comments about the club’s transfer business following the crucial 3-1 win over fellow League One strugglers Peterborough United this weekend.

“I just want to finish this market because you don't want something to happen badly,” the former Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back told the media. “I think the last day something bad can happen, you know, but happen means that we just lose a player that we want to stay.

“I understand this part of the business but I would prefer to focus on what we have and to know the squad we have. As I say from the very first day, if we can bring someone that can make us better, they will be more than welcome but I’m not lost on that.”

The win over Peterborough has given the Gas a six-point cushion over the relegation zone but they remain in 18th place in the League One table, with just two teams standing between Calderon’s side and the drop zone.