Rovers have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of FC Lorient striker Ibrahima Kone.

The two clubs had been in talks and were understood to be close to an agreement.

However, the suggestion is France is the deal is now off and that Kone will stay with the Ligue 1 club.

 

 

Rovers had turned to Kone in a bid to strengthen in attack ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The two clubs were understood to have been close to a loan agreement until the end of the season providing Kone passed a medical which had been scheduled.

Rovers have been in the market all month for a striker after George Hirst was recalled by parent club Leicester City.

Kone made just a third league start of the season for Lorient in Friday's win over Rennes, but he has been a regular off the bench, with 16 substitute appearances.

He has scored four goals in all competitions, after five in 16 appearances in the second half of the last season after his arrival at Lorient in January 2022.

Kone has won 14 caps for Mali, scoring eight goals, and is understood to be able to secure a work permit.

The striker joined Lorient on a four-and-a-half year deal, which runs to June 2026, and it seems he will now stay with the French club for the remainder of the season.

He arrived from Norwegian club Sarpsborg 08 where he spent one season, scoring 11 times and contributing three assists in 28 appearances.

That followed a three-year spell with fellow Eliteserien club FK Haugesund where he scored 12 times in 64 appearances.