'Too strong' - Charlton Athletic land fatal transfer blow to Bristol Rovers

Charlton Athletic appear to have finally landed the fatal blow to League One rivals Bristol Rovers in the pursuit of talented Dunfermline defender Josh Edwards this summer.

The Addicks had long been touted as frontrunners for the Scottish Championship star and had been expected to complete a deal as early as May. However, it emerged that Dunfermline had also accepted a bid from the Gas which left the player entering contract talks with both the League One sides.

Now, The Courier reports that it is Charlton Athletic who have outmuscled their rivals in presenting a more enticing prospect to Edwards. Bristol Rovers finished one place above the London outfit last term but the 23-year-old is believed to have been sold by Charlton manager Nathan Jones.

The Welshman's early work at The Valley and impressive history at Luton Town is reported to have been 'too strong' for Matt Taylor's Rovers side to compete with.

Edwards has spent five years with Dunfermline and enjoyed an impressive campaign last time out three goals and eight assists in 36 league outings on the left flank. Barnsley had an offer for the player turned down in January by the Scottish outfit.

In February, Dunfermline boss James McPake explained: “A bid was knocked back from the club, but that was a worry right up until [the transfer deadline] last Thursday. We know how important he is and the club were great with that; David [Cook, CEO], the board. It was quite a simple decision for them.

“Obviously, if a daft bid comes in then of course it gets looked at – but by daft I mean a high bid. For what Josh is worth to us and what he can do, the club knocked that back. It shows real intent from them as well.

“Keeping Josh was very important, for what he does in the team. He could get injured, that’s just the way football is, but a player of his profile is really hard to find. And the way he plays that left-wing/left wing-back role, I don’t see many like that out there.

“It was very important we kept him. He’s performing at a really high level. I’ve said to him, the moves will come for him. If he keeps doing what he’s doing for us, he’ll go and have a fantastic career because he’s doing everything right."