Exclusive: Bristol Rovers among League One clubs interested in former Portsmouth winger

Bristol Rovers are interested in AFC Wimbledon striker Ronan Curtis on a free transfer, Bristol Live understands, with the 28-year-old’s future at the League Two club still to be decided.

Talks are ongoing between the winger and the Dons after he joined on a short-term deal in January, having been released by Portsmouth last summer. Curtis had not played since February 2023 after suffering serious ligament damage in both knees, but impressed for Johnnie Jackson’s side in the second half of the League Two campaign.

Capped seven times by the Republic of Ireland, the winger scored five goals and registered two assists in 16 Championship appearances for the fourth-placed side as they missed out on the play-offs by five points. However, Gasheads are likely to be more familiar with his contributions to Pompeii.

Curtis made 226 appearances for the Hampshire club, scoring 57 goals and providing 42 assists over five seasons, all at League One level.

It is understood that while Wimbledon are determined to keep the winger in south London as he earned legendary status in the Dons’ 1-0 win over fierce rivals MK Dons, scoring a 94th-minute winner, Rovers are not alone in regarding third party interest. level clubs.

Prior to the serious knee injury, Curtis was subject to interest from the Championship as the winger entered the final year of his contract at Fratton Park, but eventually had to return to action 11 months after the end.

The Gas are expected to be busy throughout the summer transfer window after six loanees returned to their parent clubs and seven others were released, while Scott Sinclair, Jordan Rossiter and Luca Hoole -they offered contracts with their futures yet to be decided.

Adding more goals from wide areas will certainly be something Matt Taylor will be keen to do as part of Rovers’ recruitment and in Curtis the Gasul will be getting a tough winger with an excellent record in front of goal at League One level . Pace is another trait the Rovers manager has indicated he would like more of, and the Ireland international was certainly known for his speed during his time at Portsmouth.

The Gas have managed to get seven goals and nine assists from Luke Thomas this season, while still awaiting a decision from Sinclair, although there is confidence the veteran forward will sign.

However, they lose the depth provided by Chelsea and Hull City loanees Harvey Vale and Harry Vaughan as they return to their parent clubs, making it an area of ​​the pitch in need of fresh faces.