Bristol Rovers transfer blow as deal ‘ever close’ with Charlton amid exit confirmed

Bristol Rovers look set to miss out on Alfie May after Charlton Athletic pulled ahead in the race to sign the Cheltenham Town striker.

GloucestershireLive journalist Jon Palmer revealed on Wednesday evening that The Valley was the ‘most likely’ destination for the 30-year-old. Gillingham made a lower offer, and there was interest from the Gas, but it is the Addicks who have seemingly won the race.

A bid of £200,000 from Gillingham was rejected earlier this month, and Charlton will have to pay at least £250,000 to sign the striker who has reached double figures in his last two seasons. Rovers’ interest was only reported on Tuesday, meanwhile Charlton have been long admirers of May, who got 43 goals in 85 games.

A bid of £200,000 from Gillingham was rejected earlier this month, and Charlton will have to pay at least £250,000 to sign the striker who has reached double figures in his last two seasons. Rovers’ interest was only reported on Tuesday, meanwhile, Charlton have been long admirers of May, who got 43 goals in 85 games.

In other news, Jamie Egan’s departure from the Memorial Stadium has been confirmed. The 20-year-old has returned back to his native Ireland and penned terms with Drogheda United. He had put pen to paper on a one-year extension last summer, but his deal has now expired and has opted to return to Ireland.

“I’ve known about it for a few weeks now,” said Egan about his move to the League of Ireland.

“I came in training with the team after the break, so it was just figuring out the final details. Then, I came here to the game against Dundalk recently, saw the atmosphere here, and I was sold on it.

Egan made the move to Rovers back in 2020, having come through at Cabinteely. He didn’t make a senior appearance for the Gas but had loan spells at Gloucester City, Weymouth, and Hereford. It was at Hereford where he made the most appearances, appearing 25 times in separate two loan spells, with four clean sheets with the Bulls last term.

“I’m delighted to have signed Jamie. He’s a great addition to us, has plenty of experience for such a young player, at Bristol Rovers and on loan as well at a really good level,” manager Kevin Doherty said to Drogheda United’s official club website.