Manager on Michael Smith's transfer request
The news that defender Michael Smith had submitted a transfer request came out this morning, and manager Darrell Clarke had this to say about that after this afternoon's training session at the University of South Wales.
"I can confirm that Michael Smith has submitted a transfer request.
"We have had a bid for him which we have turned down as it doesn’t meet our valuation, and I have had one or two enquiries for him from league clubs.
“That’s because he is a very good player, a model pro, but we don’t want to lose him and unless our valuation is met he won’t be leaving the club."
The manager says he’s not had any problems with the current ‘Player of the Year’ and that he understands the reasons behind the request to leave.
"To be fair, he’s no problem at all.
“He has a slight injury at the moment but he’s fully committed to the club while he remains a Bristol Rovers player.
“He wants to play league football and, if we are being honest, he’s had a fantastic time at Bristol Rovers and we don’t want to lose him as he’s one of our best players.
“We will have to see how things develop, but I can confirm that we won’t be selling him unless we receive a bid that meets our valuation.
“It will have to be a really good offer if he is to leave.”