Bristol Rovers should know whether they can add Sam Nicholson to their list of summer signings by the end of this week.
The Scottish winger is a sought-after free agent after cutting short a stint with the Colorado Rapids in the MLS due to family reasons.
Rovers remain well-placed to sign the 25-year-old, who flew back from the United States over the weekend, though Nicholson’s boyhood club Hearts remain interested.
However, Rovers have tabled a superior deal than the Edinburgh club, and Bristol Live understands the Scottish Championship outfit are yet to return with a revised offer.
Nicholson returned across the pond over the weekend after positive talks with the Gas, and is set to decide where he will be playing next season in the coming days.
The Scotland youth international is excited by the prospect of playing in the EFL, but his ties to Tynecastle Park are strong.
He scored 15 goals in 127 games after graduating from Hearts’ academy before leaving in 2017 to test himself in the States with Minnesota United and the Rapids.
And he has a good relationship with Hearts boss Robbie Neilson, who is expected to hold further talks with the player and his representatives this week.
But the player is impressed by Rovers, and should Hearts fail to come close to the Gas’ contract offer he is poised to move to the Mem.
He is sure to have been offered a prominent role by Gas boss Ben Garner, with Alex Rodman and Kyle Bennett the only wingers with senior experience in his squad.
Garner has previously spoken about enhancing Rovers’ recruitment network since taking the job, including searching for players in different regions.
The Gas boss doubtless spent hours combing through footage over lockdown in preparation for the summer transfer window and he will hope to learn in the coming days if his pursuit for Nicholson has been successful, with the onus on Hearts to decide whether they will increase their offer.
The Pirates are also set to finalise deals for Max Ehmer, Jack Baldwin and Josh Grant in the coming weeks.
