Harvey Saunders is set to leave Bristol Rovers before the January transfer deadline next week, Joey Barton has revealed.
The 25-year-old forward has been the subject of interest from League Two clubs, including Tranmere Rovers and Hartlepool United, throughout the window, but Gas manager Barton was keen to keep hold of him. However, the Rovers manager says a fee has been accepted a fee for the former Fleetwood Town striker and he could not stand in his way as he pursues the chance to play regularly.
"There have been a few in for him and sniffing around, so that will be for him and his agent," the manager said. "We’ve had a fee we’re happy with for Harv. He’s a great lad and he’s desperate to go and play.
"I kind of want to keep him because we’re a little bit short in areas, but it’s not the right thing to do for the kid and I can’t keep him as an insurance policy for other people getting injured.
"He has been a great servant for me in my coaching career. He has done brilliantly, but he is desperate to get on and get playing regularly and I think he’s going to have opportunities to do that.
"It allows us to recoup some money that we can invest, hopefully, back in the side."
Saunders has been a bit-part player for Rovers since signing in the summer of 2021, but he has played an important role nonetheless. His speed and endeavour have made him an impactful option off the bench, but the performances of the likes of Aaron Collins, Josh Coburn and Scott Sinclair have blocked his route into the starting XI.
Saunders has scored five times in 43 appearances for the Gas, including twice in this season's EFL Trophy, and those numbers do not quite do justice to the impact he has made, summed up by the fact Barton would like to keep him as a handy substitute.
But Saunders, understandably, wants a bigger role and his wish is set to be granted with a move in the coming days.
His best individual moment in a Rovers shirt arguably came against Oldham Athletic last season, scoring the only goal in Rovers' first win of a League Two season that ended in promotion.
Should a deal be finalised, Saunders will be the fifth player to depart Rovers in the January transfer window after defenders Trevor Clarke, Alfie Kilgour, Bobby Thomas and midfielder Zain Westbrooke. Centre-back Jarell Quansah and goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe have joined the Gas this month, and Barton expects a busy end to the month as he looks to add to his squad in several positions.
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