Bristol Rovers are targeting a move for Fleetwood Town forward Promise Omochere, Bristol Live understands, which could see them go head-to-head with former manager Darrell Clarke in a battle to sign the coveted Irishman.
Rovers have made significant headway in retooling their squad for 2024/25 following the departures of 13 senior players at the end of last season, with Antony Evans also sold to Huddersfield Town last week for a fee in the region of £450,000.
Having brought in eight new players, six of which have been at the defensive end of the pitch, focus can now switch to more attacking additions with Omochere a player desired by the Gas, and a potentially attainable one following Fleetwood’s relegation to League Two.
The 23-year-old can play as a wide or central forward and possess pace and direct running, scoring six goals and adding an assist for the Cod Army last season in 34 League One appearances, while he’s also tactically flexible in how he can be used in various systems.
A winger in his youth, Dublin-born Omochere has been gradually converted into a central striker while not losing any of the necessary attributes to play out wide. Fleetwood signed him from League of Ireland side Bohemians in 2022 and he now has two full seasons under his belt in the third tier.
Rovers are not expected to be alone in desiring the Irish-raised attacker, with Alan Nixon reporting on Sunday that Clarke would also like to take him to Barnsley, claiming Omochere is valued in the £500,000 bracket, which seems a high (and potentially unrealistic) price for a League Two player.
He has 12 months remaining on his contract at Highbury Stadium and, as Fleetwood prepare for life in the fourth tier, are simply in a position where they have to listen to offers for any of their key assets given the financial strain of dropping down a division and the prospect of him leaving on a free next summer, otherwise.
Rovers have added Ruel Sotiriou to their forward ranks for next term, while Luke Thomas, Scott Sinclair and Jevani Brown are also present in more withdrawn roles off central striker Chris Martin. But the Gas could do with additional depth through the middle after John Marquis left on a free transfer at the end of last season.
On Friday, against Melksham Town in their first pre-season friendly of the summer, Taylor started with Sotiriou as his main striker for the first half and then switched to Brown in tandem with 16-year-old Ollie Dewsbury for the second 45 minutes as Rovers ran out 4-2 winners.