Posh reject bid for star:

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Peterborough United insist any new signings in the January transfer window will be made early in the month.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson is not a fan of squad changes at this time of the season, but he is on the record with his desire for two new bodies to boost the club’s League One promotion push. Midfield is the area Ferguson wants to strengthen with Greg Docherty of Scottish Premier Division side Rangers still reportedly on the club’s radar.

Docherty, who enjoyed a successful spell on loan at League One side Shrewsbury last season, is understood to have turned Posh down in the summer in favour of fighting for his place at Rangers, but he hasn’t made a first-team apPosh pearance for the Gers since August.

Ferguson will not name his transfer targets, but any new players will sign early in the New Year according to chairman Darragh MacAnthony’s Twitter feed.

“No late January business,” MacAnthony said. “All to be done early incoming wise.”

Posh are also relaxed about the Marcus Maddison situation. If the £2.5 million valuation of the 26 year-old’s buyout clause is triggered Posh can’t stop him talking to the bidding club.

Maddison is out of contract at the end of the season and could leave Posh for nothing. He has shown little interest in signing a new deal.

But Posh director of football Barry Fry has revealed Maddison is also in no rush to leave London Road.

“Marcus is putting us under no pressure whatsoever,” Fry, who deals with all the transfer negotiations, stated.

“If he does ever leave he would be happiest if it’s after he has helped us into the Championship.

“But we do have a back-up plan in place if Marcus or any player leaves us in January.

“The manager has identified his replacements, but let me confirm we are not interested in selling any player next month. Preparing for every eventuality is just common sense.

“We want to add to the squad and improve it rather than cash in on a big profit.

“Anyway I find it hard to believe any club would want to play £2.5 million for a player they could sign for nothing in five months time.

“Plenty have tried to sign him on the cheap, but that isn’t going to happen. It’s the full value of his release clause or he is staying with us.”

Championship clubs Middlesbrough, Derby, West Brom and Bristol City have all been linked with Maddison in the last week.

Middlesbrough have seen a bid for Marcus Maddison rejected.

Greg Docherty (left) in action for Shrewsbury against Posh last season. Siriki Dembele is the Posh player