The January transfer window opens in a little over a month and talk has already started over the possible moves Rovers will make and the decisions they will face with their key players.

We have already revealed that the club are looking at targets north of the border, including Hearts defender John Souttar and Aberdeen winger Ryan Hedges, while Portsmouth’s Marcus Harness is another on the radar.

In January 2020 Rovers moved for Harry Pickering from Crewe Alexandra and League One has been a market they have looked at in recent times, with Tayo Edun brought in from Lincoln City in the summer, with former team-mate Anthony Scully another on the watchlist going into January.

Rovers failed to add to their strikeforce in the summer and that is set to be the main target heading into the winter window, with Josh Maja of Bordeaux the number one target in the summer, while Toulouse frontman Rhys Healey has also been watched.

Here is other transfer talk surrounding Rovers heading into January…

  • Sevilla are continuing to keep taps on Ben Brereton after his goalscoring start to the season.

The Sun have re-affirmed the belief that the La Liga side are watching Brereton closely after his 16 Championship goals this season but also his exploits on the international stage for Chile.

Rovers have the option to extend Brereton’s contract through to 2023 and are in talks over trying to extend that further.

There have been tentative links to Premier League clubs but should interest in Brereton be firmed up in January, it is expected that would be from overseas.

 

  • Scotland international John Souttar will only leave Hearts in January should a ‘huge bid’ arrive for his services.

Manager Robbie Nielson says the club are determined to keep hold of central defender Souttar who has no shortage of Championship interest, with Rovers’ interest thought to be long-standing.

Souttar is out of contract so could agree a pre-contract agreement in January ahead of a free transfer move next summer.

Nielson told Sky Sports: “From our perspective, he’s here until the end of the season unless we get a bid that we can’t refuse.

“Hopefully within that time, we can negotiate a new contract. We’ve made him a really good offer. So it’s just a case of trying to negotiate that.

“If he does decide it’s time to move on, it will take a huge bid in January for that to happen. Or he can see out his contract and hopefully leave happy.”

 

  • The injury to Ian Poveda will only strengthen the view that Rovers will look at another wing option in January.

One forward to have been linked is Tottenham Hotspur youngster Dilan Markanday.

The 20-year-old has been in fine form for Spurs Under-23s, with Rovers credited as one of four Championship clubs to have enquired about his potential availability in January.

Markanday has scored 11 goals and chalked up four assists, including one against Rovers, in 12 Premier League appearances for Spurs, while he made his senior debut in the Europa Conference League against Vitesse Arnhem.

 

His contract with the Irish club is set to expire next month and Rovers, along with League Two side Bristol Rovers, are reportedly set to offer him a trial spell.

Interest in Ireland from St Patrick’s Athletic, Dundalk and Bohemians is also an option for the 23-year-old right back who scored once and managed six assists last season.

He has played 83 times for the club in almost three years with Drogheda.