Bristol Rovers boss Ben Garner has put doubt over the club’s move for defender Ali Koiki on deadline day.
Rovers were close to completing a deal earlier in the week for the 21-year-old left-wing-back, who has turned down a new contract at Premier League Burnley and can leave as a free agent, subject to a compensation fee.
But Bristol Live understands there have been some unforeseen complications getting the deal over the line.
Garner was asked if there was an update on the club’s move for Koiki at his press conference on Friday morning.
“No, not at the moment,” he told Bristol Live. “We’ve managed to get Erhun (Oztumer) done, which we’re delighted with.
“As things stand, I don’t think we’ll be signing anyone else unless that changes today.
“I think we’ll be going with the squad we’ve got in place, which we’re really happy with.
“In terms of having one window, what we’ve managed to recruit and get in place as a squad, everyone at the club has done brilliantly well to do that.
“I think that’s where we are now, unless anything changes today."
Bristol Live understands the club are still working hard behind the scenes to complete the deal before Friday’s 5pm deadline.
On Thursday, Burnley manager Shaun Dyche confirmed a move to Rovers was "in the offing".
Elsewhere, teenage midfielder Tom Mehew has been linked with a loan move away from Rovers to gain more experience after impressing in Rovers’ EFL Trophy campaign.
But Garner confirmed no deal has been agreed for him to make a temporary move away from the Mem yet.
The manager continued: “We’ve made him available for loan and we’ve spoken to numerous clubs and trying to get him the right fit.
“We want him to play at the highest level we can on loan, but it needs to be the right fit for him as a player. With no disrespect to Tom, there’s no point in going to play for a team that doesn’t play through midfield, for example, because that’s his strength, that’s his attributes.
“We’d like to find him a loan if we can, but as I say it needs to be the right one.”
Veteran midfielder Abu Ogogo has not been part of Garner’s squad since they returned to training after lockdown, with the 30-year-old effectively transfer listed after not being given a squad number.
“I know there have been conversations, but I don’t know if it’s gone any further than that is the honest answer,” Garner said when asked about the player’s situation.
“I’ve got nothing to report, I’m afraid, on that at the moment.”
