Bristol Rovers transfer update as Joey Barton eyes SIX signings after strong warning

Joey Barton says he is targeting six new signings for Bristol Rovers in the January transfer window. The Gas are yet to sign any players with almost two weeks gone, but that has not stopped him from putting an ambitious target out there.

It had been expected that two or three signings would suffice before the window opened, but with Rovers’ unexpected push for promotion, more additions may be needed to maintain their push towards the playoffs. The original goal had been survival which coincided with their recruitment plans, but now the 40-year-old is keen to recruit more players to rectify an issue in the squad.

Rovers do not have an issue in the attack with Aaron Collins the top scorer in League One with 13 goals and 10 assists, and he is supported by Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn, as well as John Marquis and Ryan Loft. Defence is an area of concern however with only Burton Albion and Forest Green Rovers shipping more.

The Gas are currently three points off of a play-off spot, though Barnsley do have three games in hand over them, but the arrival of six new faces, could be what is needed to take Rovers to the next level.

"We’re scrapping away," Barton said when asked where the club is in terms of any potential incomings. I’m desperate to bring in five or six. Whether it’s possible depends on people going out.

"I still think we’re six players away from a promotion-tilted side. We’re doing incredibly well at the minute.  We’re working tirelessly to get quality and experience in but it’s tricky to find in January.

"It’s highly unlikely but if you don’t ask you don’t get. We’re working on it, if we end up doing two or three that would be a good window for us. It’s notoriously a window that goes right to the dying embers. People are playing the games that they play; it’s a merry-go-round for football transfers. We just have to stay as we normally do, hopefully, we can get what we need."

Barton’s message to the media was also relayed to the senior playing squad this afternoon, with a word of warning to the current personnel. Rovers’ players are on course to achieve the target that was placed upon them externally, but internally the shift has changed with the former Manchester City midfielder impatient for success. He is contracted to Rovers until the summer of 2026 and has spoken about wanting to get the club into the Championship, a division he has played in but not yet managed.

"I’ve told the lads in no uncertain terms, we’ll be scouring the market for better players," he said. If you’re in the jersey now, you have to do everything to stay in it.

"The front side of the team is pretty set, they are effective and efficient. The back side of the team is absolutely still up for grabs.

Rovers were a newly promoted club in the summer and potential transfer targets were off-put by their status but are now entertaining the idea of joining to help mount a promotion push. Under Barton, there has been an emphasis on young players, but now there could be a shift towards bringing players in that have been there and done it.

He said: "We’ve got a lot of young players in there, if we can add a bit of nouse and experience, we’d be foolish not to do so. We’re possibly targetting two or three players in that defensive side of the team, if we sort that out, we’ve got a chance.

"January if I could I’d bring in a whole host of players, I am looking for six, and three are in the defence area. Whether we’re able to do that will depend on how savvy we can be in the market because we have two live loans before we reach the threshold.

"Whether we go beyond that and take a sixth loan will probably be the dying embers of the window and what player it is. If it’s a superstar, we’d be foolish not to."