Joey Barton insists it's too early to discuss his summer transfer budget as Bristol Rovers still need to secure their League One status for next season and claims the club’s record annual losses are a natural by-product of trying to compete in the modern era.
Rovers reported losses this week of £3.7m for the financial year ending 2022, relevant to their first full campaign under Barton in which they earned promotion from League Two with a last day 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United.
It’s the most the Gas have lost inside an accounting period in their history, and will essentially be covered by president Wael Al-Qadi so won't be an immediate threat to the club as such, but for Barton it serves as reminder of how expensive it is operating at this level.
