NEWPORT County AFC have turned down League One bids for last season’s top scorer Will Evans.
Owner Huw Jenkins has created their new-look squad ahead of the League Two season, bringing in ten players so far through his recruitment drive.
The chairman, who oversees transfer talks, disclosed that offers for forward Evans, who scored 25 goals in 55 games the previous season, have been rejected.
The 27-year-old, who is yet to play in pre-season due to a niggle, was also the subject of January offers but has stayed at Rodney Parade.
Evans joined the club in 2022 after catching the eye with Penybont in the Cymru Premier and a one-year extension clause was triggered on his deal at the end of last season.
“There has been interest and we have had a couple of offers, tentative offers, from League One clubs,” said Jenkins.
Other than the fact that we knocked them both back, there hasn’t really been anything noteworthy to report.
“We hope things stay as they are, but that is just to be expected for a guy who scored over 20 goals last year. That is where we are at.”
Evans has not yet appeared in a game, however he was present for the preseason victories over Undy and Pontypridd.
Jardim, who prefers a 4-3-3, will use the diligent forward in a new system if no compelling bids are made.
Evans adds Courtney Baker-Richardson, Luke Jephcott, Kiban Rai, Nathan Wood, Michael Spellman, and Oliver Greaves to the group of offensive options. Evans can play on both flanks or lead the line.
Hamzad Kargbo, a former striker for Queens Park Rangers, is now on trial and has appeared at Undy and Pontypridd.
The powerful 22-year-old is signed to Cobalt Sports Management Agency, a Cardiff-based company with close ties to chairman Jenkins.
Concurrently, a 10-year leasing agreement for Rodney Parade, County’s residence since relocating from Spytty Park in 2012, is nearly finalised with the Dragons.
Jenkins stated, “We just need to get it sorted. It is 99 percent there; we are just waiting to finalise it.”
Just before the previous season began, the Exiles and the Dragons agreed on a one-year extension for the use of the historic site.
Starting with the 2025–2026 season, clubs will be required by the EFL to obtain 10-year rolling leases for their venues.
