Rovers look favourites to get midfield man Camps
BRISTOL Rovers appear free to sign long-term transfer target Callum Camps after Stockport turned their attention to elsewhere in the market.
Camps was believed to be bound for Edgeley Park, but manager Dave Challinor has instead elected to sign former Bristol City academy player Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, from Torquay, and Akil Wright, from York City, in midfield.
Although Stockport have a large budget for League Two, the arrivals of Lemonheigh-Evans and Wright effectively make up the intended salary for Camps, so are seen as better value additions in the context of where they are for the fourth-tier season ahead.
Sources in the North West indicate Camps is no longer on the agenda, leaving Rovers as the most likely destination for the 26-year-old who played under Robers boss Joey Barton at Fleetwood and very nearly signed for the Pirates in January.
Camps was on the verge of a switch just before deadline day, but Fleetwood were unwilling to lose him, despite his expiring contract, and Rovers quickly switched focus to Elliot Anderson from Newcastle United on loan.
Anderson was a key driving force behind Rovers’ promotion run in the second half of the season, and while Barton would ideally like to bring him back to north Bristol for another campaign in blue and white, those prospects look increasingly unlikely.
The youngster is wanted by a number of Championship clubs, with Millwall reportedly the frontrunners, plus Newcastle are unlikely to make a decision on where he will be playing his football for 2022/23 until Eddie Howe has had a proper look at him in pre-season.
Ultimately, Rovers cannot wait too long to see how such scenarios could develop, and there is a will to get some transfer business done in the coming fortnight as they return to The Quarters for pre-season training.
Rovers have secured playmaker Antony Evans on a three-year deal, a significant summer boost given he had offers elsewhere in League One, but with Anderson, Sam Nicholson and Luke Thomas departing – albeit with a chance the latter could return on loan or a permanent deal – creativity is required from midfield.
It is understood that earlier this month, Camps’ choice was between Stockport, who play in a division lower, but would allow him to remain in the north west, or Rovers. Unless that situation has changed, the Pirates could now move quickly on the 26-year-old.
Barton is considering another exFleetwood player in midfielder Jordan Rossiter. The 25-year-old is under contract at Highbury Stadium but is understood to be an option.
The Rovers manager brought the former Liverpool academy product to Fleetwood from Rangers in 2020, initially on loan, and he has made 65 appearances for the Cod Army, captaining them during last season.
A deeper-lying midfielder than Camps, Rossiter is a dynamic and tough tackling player who brings real authority on the field and would provide support and competition to Paul Coutts, Sam Finley and Josh Grant, with the latter increasingly used as a wing-back by Barton.