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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Rangers eye winger, QPR to interview Wycombe manager – League One transfers and headlines

The final lineup of opponents for Bristol Rovers in League One next season took a step closer to being confirmed on Saturday with Sunderland defeating Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off final.

Meanwhile, some of Rovers' rivals have been busy planning for next season as teams look to get transfer deals over the line early ahead of pre-season beginning next month.

Managerial situations remain fluid, too, with a rush on throughout the EFL pyramid to get structures in place before the roundabout starts spinning again at the end of June.

Here are the latest League One headlines...

Rangers target Bolton Wanderers star

Dapo Afolayan starred for Bolton Wanderers in their first season back in the second tier, finishing the campaign with 12 goals and seven assists for Ian Evatt's side.

Naturally, the winger's fine form has attracted interest from elsewhere, with Europa League runners-up Rangers keeping an eye on the 24-year-old, according to Alan Nixon.

Rangers star Ryan Kent could be on the move this summer and Afolayan is viewed as a possible replacement. A fee of £1.5million has reportedly been set by the Trotters.

Rooney wants ex-Cardiff defender for Derby rebuild

Issues remain to be sorted with Derby County's protracted takeover, but relegation from the Championship and a fresh start in League One give the Rams manager an opportunity to rebuild without the shackles of a points deduction.

Rooney hopes to keep hold of veteran defender Curtis Davies, but the Manchester United legend also wants to add former Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City centre-half Aden Flint to his ranks, according to Alan Nixon.

Flint is due to become a free agent after confirming on Friday he will leave Cardiff City after three seasons and, at 32 years old, he is likely to have plenty of options in the Championship and League One.

QPR want to interview Wycombe boss

Wycombe Wanderers missed out on their chance to play in the Championship next season, losing 2-0 to Sunderland in Saturday's League One play-off final.

But Chairboys boss Gareth Ainsworth could still work in the second tier next season, with Queens Park Rangers reportedly interested in acquiring his services.

Ainsworth played more than 150 games for QPR and had two spells as caretaker manager at Loftus Road.

Since retiring, the 49-year-old has spent almost 10 years in charge of Wycombe, managing more than 500 games and winning two promotions, taking Wycombe to the Championship in 2019/20.

His impressive record has piqued the interest of QPR, with the Hoops eager to speak to him this week about the managerial vacancy, according to West London Sport. MK Dons manager Liam Manning is also in the running.

Cheltenham Town defender Will Boyle. ((Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images))

Huddersfield eye Cheltenham skipper

Cheltenham Town captain Will Boyle is coming to the end of his contract at Whaddon Road, and he is reportedly wanted by Championship play-off finalists Huddersfield Town.

Gloucestershire Live reports big-spending National League Champions Stockport County are also keen to sign the left-sided defender, but the Terriers are in pole position to sign the 26-year-old.

Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and Oxford United have also declared an interest in the defender, but Boyle joined Cheltenham from Huddersfield in 2017 and is likely to return to his former club this summer.

Charlton could be quids in if Pope is sold

Burnley's relegation from the Premier League on Sunday is set to force several departures from Turf Moor, with England goalkeeper Nick Pope among their most valuable assets.

It has been widely reported Burnley have slapped a £40million price tag on the 30-year-old, who played 36 times in the top flight this season.

That will be music to the ears of executives at The Valley, with Charlton Athletic due to receive a cut of any transfer fee Burnley may receive for their goalkeeper, the South London Press reports.

The Clarets signed Pope from Charlton in 2016 for an undisclosed fee, with a sell-on clause included in the deal.

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