Will Evans: Newport County reject League One transfer bids

The Exiles are starting life under a new boss after head coach Nelson Jardim was appointed as successor to manager Graham Coughlan.

They will head into the League Two season with a new-look squad shaped by owner Huw Jenkins, who has led a recruitment drive that has so far brought in 10 players.

The chairman is in charge of transfer negotiations and revealed that bids have been knocked back for forward Evans, who scored 25 goals in 55 games last season.

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.

BIDS: County have turned down offers for striker Will Evans, pictured on the right at the pre-season friendly at Undy (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“There has been interest and we have had a couple of offers, tentative offers, from League One clubs,” said Jenkins.

“We have knocked both of them back and there have been other conversations, but nothing else really to report.

“That is just to be expected for a guy who scored over 20 goals last year, so that is where we are at and we hope that things stay as they are.”

Evans has been at the pre-season wins over Undy and Pontypridd but is yet to feature in match action.

If no attractive offers are made then the hard-working forward will fit into a new system under Jardim, who favours a 4-3-3.

Evans can play on both flanks or lead the line and joins Courtney Baker-Richardson, Luke Jephcott, Kiban Rai, Nathan Wood, Michael Spellman and Oliver Greaves as an attacking option.

TRIAL: Hamzad Kargbo has featured for County in pre-season after leaving QPR (Image: Darren Griffiths/Huw Evans Agency)

Former Queens Park Rangers striker Hamzad Kargbo is on trial and featured at Undy and Pontypridd.

The imposing 22-year-old is on the books of Cardiff-based Cobalt Sports Management Agency, who have strong links with chairman Jenkins.

Meanwhile, an agreement with the Dragons for a 10-year lease for Rodney Parade, County’s home since moving from Spytty Park in 2012, is almost complete.

“We are still waiting to finalise it but it is 99 per cent there, we just need to get it sorted,” said Jenkins.

The Exiles signed a one-year extension with the Dragons for use of the historic ground shortly before the start of last season.

The EFL will require clubs to have 10-year rolling leases for grounds from the 2025/26 campaign.