Rumours galore, but no signings yet

Last updated : 21 January 2007 By Simon Head

Jepson: desperate to add to his squad
Gillingham are one of just two sides in the league who haven't conducted any transfer business during the January window (Huddersfield being the other), but that hasn't stopped the rumour mill linking the Gills with player transfers.

Ronnie Jepson has stated that he has offered former Sheffield United striker Neil Shipperley a contract until the end of the season - and that the big target man is considering his options. It's likely that Shipperley, son of former Gills centre half Dave Shipperley, is looking for a longer contract and may well end up moving elsewhere if other clubs express an interest.

Another striker linked with a move to Priestfield is pint-sized goal-poacher Leon Knight. The diminutive striker has developed a reputation as a bit of a bad boy so far in his career, falling out with staff at Chelsea, Brighton and most recently Swansea. He remains transfer-listed by the Welsh club and may be interested in a move to a club nearer his London roots. However, money may prove to be a stumbling block - and while his talent in front of goal is undoubted, big question marks remain over his attitude. He may be a risky acquisition, but would certainly add a genuine goal threat to our front line.

The most recent rumour, coming from this weekend's edition of The League Paper, has suggested the Gills may be interested in a move for Nottingham Forest striker Jack Lester.

We've also had rumours linking our own players with moves away from Gillingham. Matty Jarvis continues to attract interest, with Ronnie Jepson at pains to say that he personally hasn't fielded any enquiries about the nippy forward. However, whether Paul Scally's phone has remained similarly quiet is unknown.

Perhaps the most far-fetched rumour linked Aston Villa with a £250,000 move for the much-improved striker Gary Mulligan. Mullers has found his scoring touch this season and has impressed with his work-rate, but is he worth a quarter of a million? If any club offered that much, most fans would surely expect the club to grab the money and send Mullers on his way.

With the transfer window still open, rumour and speculation abound, but with money too tight to mention and with clubs all on the lookout for good value acquisitions, it remains to be seen if Ronnie Jepson's wish to add two or three new faces to the squad will be granted.

We wait with baited breath...