Joey Barton makes bold Bristol Rovers transfer claim as Portsmouth complete new signing

Bristol Rovers’ new campaign is now well and truly underway.

Joey Barton’s men lost to Forest Green Rovers in their season opener, and they took on Burton Albion on Saturday.

As ever, it’s set to be an ultra competitive League One this season, and Rovers will have to be at their best to compete.

Transfers will be key to that, and Barton has already said he wants a number of new signings before the end of the window, while departures are also likely ahead of the deadline.

With that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest Rovers and League One transfer news and rumours.

Barton issues transfer update

Barton says Rovers are now eyeing as many as eight new signings ahead of the summer deadline.

“With Trev (Clarke) going now, that will probably make it eight, but we’ve got some quality in the building and I know from last year and from my time coaching, it is just one or two players and before you know it the group looks markedly different,” said the Rovers boss.

“We’ve got a good foundation to build off, we just don’t have enough of them at the moment. But luckily, we’ve still got 20-odd days in the market and things are progressing.

“Whether they progress quickly enough to have people in the matchday squad, I’m not sure, but were certainly down the line with a couple of players and a couple of loan players.”

Portsmouth complete deal

Portsmouth have completed the signing of Crewe Alexandra star Tom Lowery.

Lowery had been with Crewe since 2016, making 175 appearances, and he now links up with Pompey on a three-year deal.

Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley said: "He provides unrivalled energy and is very competent technically, so will bring a real creativity to our midfield.

"At 24, he's still a young man and his ambitions are aligned with ours."

Owls eye defender

Sheffield Wednesday are being tipped to sign another defender this summer.

According to Yorkshire Live, despite the signings of Akin Famewo, Michael Ihiekwe and Ben Heneghan this summer, the Owls are set to snap up another centre-back.

Darren Moore is said to want Liam Palmer to compete at right-back, meaning he may require another centre-back before the deadline.