Luke Molyneux has revealed he held talks with Bristol Rovers and MK Dons before settling on a move to League Two Doncaster Rovers.
The former Hartlepool United attacking midfielder was a sought-after free agent after deciding to leave Victoria Park. He scored 12 goals in all competitions for Pools last season and he was quickly linked with the likes of Derby County and Portsmouth after the season concluded.
Last week, he agreed a two-year deal with Doncaster, who are rebuilding following their relegation from League One last season, but he has admitted he held talks with the Gas before committing to a move to the Keepmoat Stadium – with the Gas opting to focus on other targets.
“At one point I was linked with a lot of teams,” he told the Doncaster Free Press. "Literally about a week, maybe even two, before I came to Doncaster there was a lot of talks with MK Dons and a lot of talks with Bristol Rovers.
"They were two clubs I was really looking at and seeing what could happen, but things didn’t work out. Both teams, especially MK Dons, said they wanted to look at the loan market first.
"I said ‘I can’t wait around’. I wanted to get back in for pre-season, so that one broke down. Bristol wanted to sign someone else and that obviously fell through."
Molyneux's version of events complies with the recruitment approach Rovers, led by Eddy Jennings and manager Joey Barton, have taken this summer, with the former completing a detailed assessment of the options in the market, with various options for each position of interest.
Whether the "someone else" Molyneux refers to is Antony Evans, who the Gas were able to lure back to the Mem on a three-year deal, or another player altogether remains to be seen but it is clear the 24-year-old was a secondary target for the Gas.
In regards to loan options Rovers could be waiting on, Luke Thomas is likely to be on that list with Barton reiterating last season his wish for the loan stars of the promotion campaign to return.
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