» Broom on the radar for a Robins reunion
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RYAN Broom could be set to rejoin Cheltenham Town a year after departing for Peterborough United.
The 24-year-old left the Robins last summer to sign for the Posh on a threeyear contract, with a fee of £150,000, plus add-ons, due to be paid in instalments.
Much of the balance remains outstanding, which could aid a swift return to Gloucestershire for the Welshman, who was placed on the transfer list by his newly-promoted Championship parent club last week.
Broom made his first appearance for Peterborough against Cheltenham at London Road in the first round of the Carabao Cup, when Liam Sercombe’s debut strike secured a 1-0 win for the League Two side.
The Bristol Rovers youth product started five League One games for Darren Ferguson’s team, along with 10 appearances from the bench.
His only goal came in a 3-1 home win over Swindon Town on October 3.
Burton Albion had also been keen on Broom during his two-year spell with Cheltenham, and they signed him on loan from Peterborough at the start of February.
He netted twice in three starts and eight substitute appearances for the Brewers, who enjoyed a surge up the table under returning boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink during the second half of the season.
Cheltenham deployed either Finn Azaz and Callum Wright in Broom’s attacking central midfield role for most of their 2020/21 title-winning campaign, but the loan duo have now returned to parent clubs West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City respectively.
It is an area of the pitch boss Michael Duff will be looking to strengthen during the close season ahead of Cheltenham’s first League One appearance since 2009
Broom, who won three player of the year awards at Cheltenham in 2019/20, was a popular figure at the Jonny-rocks Stadium and supporters would welcome his return.
Meanwhile, Mo Eisa is being chased by at least three League One clubs after also being placed on the transfer list by Peterborough.
The Sudan-born striker joined the Posh from Bristol City for £1.2 million in the summer of 2019 after one season at Ashton Gate.
Eisa had been given his big chance in the Football League by Cheltenham in 2017/18, during which he scored a club Football League record 23 goals after joining from non-league Greenwich Borough.
Several of the division’s big hitters are thought to be keen on the 26-yearold, so he is likely to face the Robins next term.
He has scored 16 times in 33 League One starts and 23 appearances from the bench during his two seasons at London Road, along with a further five goals in cup competitions.
Director of football, Barry Fry, says Peterborough will expect “sizeable fees” for transfer-listed pair Eisa and Broom. Posh will do well to get their money back for £1.2 million Eisa or Broom, who cost in the region of £150,000 when bought from Cheltenham under 12 months ago.
“It’s difficult to know what money will be about this summer,” Fry added.
“The pandemic has stretched most clubs, but we will expect a fee for Mo and Ryan.
“We turned down three bids for Mo last January. Huddersfield wanted to swap him for Reece Brown, but we turned that down.
“MK Dons wanted him, but couldn’t raise the money and Charlton showed an interest, but they’ve changed manager since then.”
The pair are among a number of excheltenham players looking for new clubs, along with Marley Watkins, Freddie Hinds, Aden Baldwin (all Bristol City), Sam Smith (Reading), Luke Varney (Burton), Jake Taylor (Exeter), James Dayton (Leyton Orient), Scott Brown (goalkeeper, Port Vale and midfielder, Harrogate Town), Sido Jombati (Oldham) and Kelsey Mooney (Scunthorpe) all being released or indicating that they are moving on.