Bristol Rovers transfer target Joe Edwards is expected to stay at Plymouth Argyle and fight for his place instead of joining the Gas this summer, Bristol Live understands, with the 33-year-old understood to have been subject to serious and sustained interest from the Gas.
There was confidence within Rovers that a deal could be struck for Edwards early in the window, after the club had come close to signing Edwards in January, as he had fallen out of favour with former boss Ian Foster, with Gas manager Matt Taylor and director of football George Friend particular admirers, viewing the veteran as an important and necessary dressing room presence.
It is believed that the Gloucester-born full-back, who started his professional career with Bristol City, was open to a move up the M5 due to personal reasons, but any negotiations regarding a deal have seemingly fallen through, with delays in negotiations and the arrival of Wayne Rooney at Home Park among the factors.
Edwards is a legend in that part of Devon, having made 223 appearances for Argyle and was a part of their promotion winning side two seasons ago, while he also scored the decisive goal against Hull City that kept the Pilgrims in the Championship on the final day of last term
After director of football Neil Dewsnip took caretaker charge for the final six games of the previous season and guided Plymouth to safety by just one point, Rooney was officially named the team’s new head coach last month. Edwards, who still has one year left on his contract at Home Park, is reportedly on Rooney’s roster for the upcoming campaign.
Although the Gas administration has made it clear that acquiring young players with a lot of potential will be the main focus of their recruitment strategy for the upcoming summer transfer window and beyond, Taylor has previously stated that adding experience is also essential to striking the right balance within his team.
Rovers are anticipated to have a busy summer transfer window as the Gas manager starts to really mold his team in his image. Although Taylor inherited a roster that included seasoned players when he arrived back in December, he was rarely able to consistently identify his best potential team due to injuries and suspensions.
In addition, the club released seven players, including captain Sam Finley, and six additional players—all under the age of 23—left at the end of the previous campaign.
Edwards spent most of the last campaign playing on the right side, either as a wing-back or full-back. Rovers may need to bolster this position this summer while they wait for Luca Hoole’s status to be decided. The right-back’s current contract is set to expire at the end of this month, but Bristol Live understands that he is still considering his options. The academy product was offered a new contract at the end of the previous season.
As an alternative, the Gas have Jack Hunt, a 33-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday player who was typically first-choice on the right side of defense last season. However, because to nagging ailments, Hunt struggled to be available consistently.
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