A striker is at the top of Bristol Rovers’ priority list but the Gas will have to be patient to land the ideal target
Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter
15:51, 07 Jul 2025Updated 15:51, 07 Jul 2025
Jonson Clarke-Harris pictured in action for Rotherham United last season(Image: Pete Norton/Getty Images)
Bristol Rovers will not be re-signing former striker Jonson Clarke-Harris, this summer at least, with the now free agent set for a move to Turkey, Bristol Live understands.
According to media in Turkey, the 30-year-old is expected to sign for Pendikspor, a second division side based in Istanbul.
Rotherham United confirmed on Friday evening that Clarke-Harris had “mutually agreed to end his time” with the Millers after one season back in South Yorkshire. Last campaign was considered disappointing for the striker compared to his high standards after scoring seven goals in League One.
READ MORE: Darrell Clarke hails ‘exemplary’ attitude from Bristol Rovers players as Gas wipe slate cleanREAD MORE: Ex-Coventry youngster and non-league prospect: Who were Bristol Rovers’ trialists at Chippenham?
His future under new manager Matt Hamshaw looked uncertain as the Millers boss admitted on record that the club were looking to do a loan deal with a view to a permanent move.
It was also confirmed that Rovers were one of a number of clubs that had registered interest in the two-time League One golden boot winner and it is understood that the Gas got close to agreeing a deal that would have brought the 30-year-old back to the Mem. However, they will now look to other targets up top.
Clarke-Harris scored 27 goals in 52 appearances for Rovers during a one-and-a-half year stay in BS7 before leaving for Peterborough United for a significant fee in August 2020.
The striker was then subject to a potential return two years ago when what would have been a club-record deal worth £800,000 was agreed with Posh, only for the move to collapse in the final minutes of the transfer window.
It is understood that Rovers have a number of other targets to add up front with a goalscorer now their biggest priority in the market.
Bristol Live understands that Macauley Langstaff of Millwall is a player the club admires but a deal looks extremely unlikely at this moment in time with numerous League One sides keen on the 28-year-old.
Rumours that any sort of bid has been submitted to the Lions are also believed to be wide of the mark. If the striker, who scored 28 goals for Notts County in League Two during the 2023/24 campaign, is to leave The Den after one season, it won’t be until much later in the window.
Macauley Langstaff of Championship side Millwall(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The Gas are also keen to give Promise Omochere more time to become the prolific forward the Irishman was bought to be last summer.
Joining from Fleetwood Town for a club-record fee believed to be in the region of £500,000 last July, Omochere arrived at the Gas having had no pre-season while also experiencing some injury problems in the previous campaign with the Cod Army.
Last term, the forward missed over half of Rovers’ League One matches and scored four goals as injury issues struck again.
Bristol Rovers Live on Whatsapp
Join Bristol Rovers Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone
Bristol Rovers Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.
Darrell Clarke admitted that the 24-year-old’s minutes will have to be managed after missing some of pre-season training following his hamstring injury sustained in March. The Irishman played 30 minutes of Friday night’s 2-1 friendly win at Chippenham and registered the assist for Ruel Sotiriou’s opening goal.
A striker will very much be brought in to support Omochere as opposed to taking his place.
Meanwhile, a decision will also be made on Chris Martin’s future once the experienced striker returns to full fitness after undergoing knee surgery back in March.
The 36-year-old’s contract has now officially expired but he will continue his rehabilitation with Rovers before a decision is made on whether they will offer him a contract. Martin has scored 21 goals and registered five assists in 66 appearances for the Gas.
READ MORE: What Bristol Rovers can expect from Luke Southwood as Gas seek consistency in goalkeeping ranksREAD MORE: Luke Southwood’s first words as Bristol Rovers seal deal for Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper