Bristol Rovers suffer early transfer setback as outbid Gas to sign Ronan Curtis

Bristol Rovers have suffered an early setback in the transfer window with summer target Ronan Curtis opting to join Port Vale, and Bristol Live understands the League Two club outbid a number of League One sides to secure the winger.

Curtis held talks with the Gas earlier this month but has decided to move to Vale Park where he signed a three-year deal as they seek an instant return to the third tier following relegation under Darren Moore.

As a result, Vale’s financial offer for the 28-year-old and promise of a three-year deal exceeded what Rovers were willing to negotiate, in-part, due to Curtis’ injury history as his final 12 months at Portsmouth were plagued by knee issues. The Gas were also not the only club in League One exploring the idea of signing the Republic of Ireland forward with Vale understandably feeling they have pulled off something of a transfer coup.

Curtis had only made his comeback to first-team football in January after joining AFC Wimbledon on a short-term deal and after five goals and two assists in 17 appearances, the Dons were keen to extend his agreement but are another club to have missed out to Vale.