Bristol Rovers striker returns as Peterborough slap £10m price tag on midfielder

A look at all the latest League One news and transfer news as Bristol Rovers continue prepare for life in a higher division
Brett Pitman is back wit Bristol Rovers but it may not be for long. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Brett Pitman is back wit Bristol Rovers but it may not be for long. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Brett Pitman is back wit Bristol Rovers but it may not be for long. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Bristol Rovers may be in the off season but plans are already underway for next season in League One.

The Gas over the coming weeks will be in negotiations to tie down the futures of their players.

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Loan players such as Luke Thomas and Connor Taylor have said their goodbyes and now the work begins to find their replacements.

The likes of Antony Evans, a pivotal figure in Rovers’ promotion campaign and Sam Nicholson, are out of contract and there is a demand for them to stay.

But already, there has been speculation over the past week about potentially Aaron Collins being a target for Portsmouth, but that was swiftly rejected. Joey Barton was also named as the bookies favourite for the Burnley job, but Vincent Kompany has since displaced him.

Speculation goes into overdrive when there isn’t a game to look forward to, but there’s still plenty of news stories involving Rovers and their league rivals.

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Here are the latest stories from English football’s third tier to keep an eye on what’s going on with next season’s teams.

Experienced striker returns to Bristol Rovers

Brett Pitman has returned to the Memorial Stadium following the completion of his loan at Eastleigh.

The 34-year-old was loaned out to the National League side in February after the addition of Ryan Loft. Pitman played 17 times for the Spitfires, scoring just one goal in a 5-3 defeat to Solihull Moors.

Whilst he departed for first-team opportunities, nine of his appearances were off of the bench and he found himself as an unused substitute on three occasions.

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He is out of contract at the end of the summer, along with summer recruits Glenn Whelan and Leon Clarke.

Sheffield Wednesday top scorer wanted by Championship club as goalkeeper set for exit

Lee Gregory is a rumoured transfer target for Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough, according to the Daily Mail.

The 33-year-old is into the final year of his contract and so the Owls wouldn’t expect a major fee from the Boro.

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Gregory scored 17 goals in 39 matches but Darren Moore’s side fell at the semi-final hurdle, losing to Sunderland. Derby County are also interested, as are Wigan Athletic who will be playing in the Championship too after winning the League One title.

One player who is all but guaranteed to leave Hillsborough is goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, who is expected to leave with his contract expiring.

Wildsmith was limited to just three league appearances this season but played 89 times for his boyhood club, but is now seeking a playing opportunity elsewhere as he hopes to play regular first-team football.

Peterborough slap £10m price tag on in-demand defender

Peterborough United have slapped a £10m price tag on their midfielder Jack Taylor amid interest from League One rivals Ipswich Town.

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The 23-year-old made 34 Championship appearances this season, scoring three goals and earning an assist, playing just two games less than what he did in their promotion season a year prior.

Director of football Barry Fry isn’t keen on selling Taylor however and has said that there have been no contact from them regarding their players.

“I’ve had no contact from Ipswich for any of our players,” Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph. “In fact, I’ve had no contact from any club about anyone. It’s far too early in the summer for that. There are still games going on.

"I will say we have no interest in selling Jack Taylor. If someone offered £10million we might, but that isn’t going to happen. We are looking to recruit a couple of midfielders so I doubt we will let anyone go from that position.”

Ipswich Town keep hold of striker

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Kayden Jackson is to remain at Portman Road after the striker signed a two-year extension with the Tractor Boys. The 28-year-old was out of contract this summer but has committed his future until the summer of 2024.

After the arrival of Kieran McKenna, Rotherham United were interested in him but he ended up staying put in Suffolk.

Under McKenna, Jackson found the back of the net five times, after enduring a difficult period with injury. Jackson has been at the club since 2018 and has scored 21 goals in 118 appearances.

Scottish champions linked with move for Shrewsbury Town defender

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Shrewsbury Town are consigned to losing Ben Crompton, with SPFL champions Celtic being keen suitors.

A report from the Shropshire Star says that Crompton has rejected a contract extension with the Shrews and is now set to depart, along with Callum Wilson.

The 18-year-old was ‘extremely highly-regarded’ in the academy but he did not make an appearance in any of the Shrews’ senior match day squads.

Wilson meanwhile had two senior appearances and earned international recognition with the Northern Ireland Under-18’s team.

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