Bristol Rovers, Fulham, and three other clubs keeping tabs on Chippenham Town starlet Rasaq Alamu

Bristol Rovers have been linked with a move for Chippenham Town’s attacking midfielder Rasaq Alamu.

The January transfer window is fast approaching as Joey Barton tries to assemble a team capable of promotion at the first time of asking after their relegation last season.

Rumours will begin to circulate on who could arrive at the Memorial Stadium at a time where business is hard to conduct given the mid-way point of the season.

The latest whispers are that All Nigeria Soccer report that Rovers, as well as league rivals Forest Green Rovers and Swindon Town are interested in his services. Cheltenham Town in League One are also looking closely at him.

Meanwhile Championship leaders Fulham reportedly sent over one of their scouts to run the rule over the youngster.

Alamu is currently playing Under-23’s football at Chippenham, so he isn’t a player that would immediately be fast tracked to the first-team, unless Rovers officials were highly impressed by him.

He has so far scored ten goals in 13 appearances and is on the verge of appearing for the non-league side’s first-team.

Chippenham play at the sixth level of English football and have Rovers academy duo Cameron Hargreaves and Zain Walker on loan there, as well as former Gas striker Harry Warwick.

Alamu was born in Ireland but has Nigerian descent and hopes to represent the Super Eagles should the opportunity arise.

He came through the academy of Shelbourne in the League of Ireland, playing for their Under-17’s and Under-19’s, before crossing the Irish Sea to play in Wiltshire.

Rovers don’t have a developmental team after an overhaul of the academy setup but could be regarded as one for the future.

At 20-years-old however, Rovers or any club would want to hope that he begins to deliver on his early promise.

As well as apparent interest in Alamu, there is also interest in Drogheda United right-back James Brown which was reported last week.

He is set to come over to England and train with both Blackburn Rovers and Bristol in the hope of earning a contract in professional football.

The wing-back was nominated by his fellow professionals to the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year, his second accolade of the season after winning Drogheda’s Supporter’s Player of the Year.

He played 34 out of 37 fixtures last season and donned the captain’s armband on many occasions, highlighting his leadership qualities.

After an injury to wing-back Josh Grant, which will keep him sidelined for the next month or so, this may be a deal that Rovers step up on as they look to create strength in depth ahead of the end-of-season run-in.