Exclusive: Derby County and Plymouth Argyle in transfer race to sign Bristol Rovers star | OneFootball

FLW can exclusively reveal that Derby and Plymouth are battling to sign Bristol Rovers midfielder Kamil Conteh.

Derby County and Plymouth Argyle are eyeing moves for Bristol Rovers midfielder Kamil Conteh, sources have exclusively informed Football League World.

The Gas weren't able to survive in League One this past season, and are now preparing for life back in League Two for the first time since 2022.

As such, a number of Rovers players are facing uncertain futures at the Memorial Stadium this summer, as a potentially busy summer of ins and outs awaits, as the club look to enjoy a strong bounce-back campaign in the fourth tier next term.

Derby County and Plymouth Argyle set for Kamil Conteh transfer battle

Derby County and Plymouth Argyle are both lining up moves for Bristol Rovers' star midfielder Kamil Conteh this summer, sources have exclusively told Football League World.

We understand that following their relegation to League Two, Rovers are facing a battle to keep hold of the Sierra Leone international beyond the summer.

Plymouth came close to signing the 22-year-old in January, but a knee injury before developing a bone infection shelved any potential transfer during the winter window.

However, the central midfielder is set to be fit for pre-season, and sources have informed us that he's attracting interest from both League One and Championship clubs.

Kamil Conteh could be highly shrewd addition by either Derby or Plymouth - he's kicked on with Bristol Rovers

Signed by Bristol Rovers in January 2024 from Grimsby Town for a club-record fee, Conteh has really started to take his game to another level as a Rovers player.

The central midfielder had previously bounced around non-league football prior to his summer 2023 move to the Mariners, having spent time with Braintree Town and Gateshead respectively, whilst being contracted to Middlesbrough.

After catching the eye in League Two, Bristol Rovers would eventually snap him up, and they've been enjoying the riches of that piece of shrewd business ever since.

A defensive-minded midfielder, Conteh was a rock in midfield for the Gas last term, often winning his individual battles in the middle of the park.

As such, he looks to be a player with a significantly higher ceiling than League One football, and at just 22, there remains plenty of time and growing room for the youngster.

Therefore, he looks sure to leave Bristol Rovers this summer, and could prove to be an excellent addition for either one of Plymouth or Derby for differing reasons.

Should he sign for Argyle, Conteh has proven he can perform at League One level, and as such, could play a big part in the Pilgrims' promotion push next term.

Sign for Derby, however, and whilst he may not walk into as big a role as he might at Home Park, he could still have the chance to impress at Championship level, and potentially fast-track his career even further.