Hibernian hope to steal march on Bristol Rovers for Wimbledon’s Luke McCormick

Bristol Rovers are poised to lose out on summer transfer target Luke McCormick after Hibernian entered the race in a ‘strong position.’

McCormick had been a reported target for the Gas since June as they look to strengthen their attack following the departure of Elliot Anderson and Sam Nicholson.

Joey Barton had previously stated he wanted up to seven new faces and after the arrival of centre-back Lewis Gibson, there is now a desire to get more attack-minded players in.

The 23-year-old is well known to Rovers having had a loan spell at the Memorial Stadium in the 2020/21 campaign, getting six goals and two assists in 39 appearances.

However there is an on-going development emerging comes from London News Online, which doesn’t make for good reading over a possible reunion.

In their report they say that Hibs are in the ‘strongest position’ of securing the signing of the former Chelsea midfielder.

Hibernan are of course managed by Lee Johnson, who previously managed both Bristol City and Sunderland and losing out on such a target would be a blow.

McCormick has yet to play for the Dons under manager Johnnie Jackson, but it is believed that his absence is not injury related according to the South London Press.

Instead the player wants out of Plough Lane and now a move to the Scottish Premiership could take place which would see him play outside of England for the first time in his career.

The sticking point for Bristol Rovers is that they have yet to reach the £200,000 valuation of the player who has two years remaining on his contract.

Such any move take place, part of what Wimbledon would receive would go to Chelsea, after the player came through their academy before making the move across the capital last summer.

A fortnight ago manager Jackson said the club were under no pressure to sell the player as they look to keep a majority of their squad from last season’s relegation.

“There is no pressure for us to sell any of our players,” Jackson said to the South London Press after Wimbledon’s opening day win over Gillingham.

“I’m not under any pressure as a manager to sell any players or to play any players – I’m being given the freedom to manage it how I see fit.

“Football is football, and everyone has a valuation and number – your decision process goes from there. At the moment, there is no decision to make.”