Stockport County appear to have won in the race to sign Blues striker Gary Hooper despite Cheltenham having a record fee accepted for the striker.
Cheltenham had a bid of up to £175,000 accepted by Southend United and offered terms to the player, but appear to have lost out to Stockport County in the race for the former Grays Athletic striker.
"I have been told by Keith, (Cheltenham boss Keith Downing), that Hooper has gone elsewhere" said Cheltenham chairman Paul Baker. "Someone has come in with a fantastic deal, we are not sure how close we were and we are very disappointed but we will now look elsewhere. We are still weeks away from the start of the season, we still have money in the bank to invest and spend on wages. We need two strikers."
Baker confirmed that Cheltenham were prepared to smash their transfer record to sign the player. The Robins bid of up to £175,000, which would have trebled the existing record fee paid, was accepted by Southend but Hooper made the decision to move elsewhere.
"Southend put a valuation on the player and we matched that so we were not outbid." Baker added. "It's the players decision based on a contract offer."
TLG must add that there has been no official confirmation on either Southend or Stockport websites and we have been trying to make contact. Whatever, this is far in excess than any Shrimper thought we would get for Gary and proves the sort of marketplace that even League One clubs have to compete in. There should be no excuse not to go and get Charlie now.