Abu Ogogo has held talks with Southend United boss Phil Brown over a move to Roots Hall, Bristol Live understands.
The midfielder was released by Bristol Rovers at the end of an injury-hit season, but Gas boss Joey Barton has extended an invite for him to return for pre-season with a view to earning a contract.
But the 31-year-old appears to have a more concrete option in Essex, with Brown rebuilding the Shrimpers' squad after their relegation to the National League.
League Two Colchester United are also understood to have expressed an interest in the former Shrewsbury Town and Coventry City midfielder.
Ogogo joined Rovers in January 2019 with the club tangled up in a relegation battle, and his tireless displays at the heart of Graham Coughlan's midfield were a big factor as the Gas pulled clear of the drop zone.
Coughlan's departure and the emergence of some injury issues saw his playing time reduced at Rovers, and Ben Garner decided not to include Ogogo in his 22-man squad at the start of last summer, with the player heading out on loan to National League Dagenham & Redbridge.
Paul Tisdale replaced Garner a few months later and recalled Ogogo from his loan spell with reintegrating him in the first-team squad in mind, but the former Arsenal academy graduate suffered a season-ending injury in his third appearance of the campaign for the Gas.
Ogogo accumulated 53 appearances for the Gas, scoring three goals, and his relentless engine when he was able to take to the pitch made him an instant favourite among supporters.
While Barton has indicated Ogogo has a chance to remain in the EFL by earning a deal at Rovers, he would run the risk of jeopardising offers on the table should he suffer an injury.
