Pars Reject Another Edwards Bid But A Move Seems Likely

With the Scottish domestic campaign for 2023/24 now almost at a full close with only a Premiership Play Off to be decided, and the Scottish Cup Final, most eyes are now on  Dunfermline Athletic`s plans for the upcoming summer transfer window, and then the kind of campaign we may well have in 2024/25.

Fans will naturally also occupy themselves with next months 2024 European Championship Finals, and plenty will have their eye on Scotland`s opener as we face Group A opponents (and hosts) Germany on Friday June 14.

With those  soccer games distractions in place, Pars fans will remain focused on what kind of improvements can be made to the first team squad to boost manager James McPake`s options ahead of the new year, as whilst a sixth placed Championship finish was creditable, everyone wants far more, and with even a couple of defeats fewer, we would have been looking up the table as opposed to constantly watching how the three teams below us were doing.

So with strengthening the main aim of the summer, I think most fans will be delighted to learn that the club have this week knocked back a six figure sum for defender Josh Edwards.

It transpires that English League One side Charlton Athletic have been the latest club to try and tempt our hand on the very highly rated 23 year old who has already smashed through the 150 appearance marker for us, as well racking up over 200 appearances in his career so far.

Fans will remember there was a similar attempt from fellow League One side Barnsley back during the January transfer window that was equally rebuffed, as we had no intention of losing our then ever present left back at that point as we fought to retain our own Championship status - and it strongly seems that our intentions have not changed with the hopes of having an improved campaign at the next time of asking.

Unless, of course, an offer that we absolutely could not refuse were to come in, as that may benefit the club as a whole in a far different way, and it has to be remembered that the talented player now only has 12 months remaining on his existing deal, as the club have previously chosen to exercise the option we held on his last deal.

Both parties are undoubtedly now at the point where real decisions need to be made, and whether that is a new extended deal for his services, or we cash in on him and allow him to start a new adventure is the only unknown at this moment in time. But it could be an interesting summer on his front with significant interest in him already being well established when it comes to clubs from down south.

Former Kilmarnock youth, Edwards, turns 24 next week having spent five years at East End Park following his arrival from Airdrie back in 2019, he may well fancy a new challenge himself, and there have already been previous rumours that he is on the shortlist of Wycombe Wanderers, Lincoln City, Blackpool, Bristol Rovers and Oxford United, although they are yet to tip their hand.

His stock will have risen this summer as his displays were rewarded with a place in the PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year, and that has likely increased interest in him.

If no new deal is quickly signed, the likelihood is that one side will match our asking price before the new campaign kicks off, and then we just have to reinvest it correctly so we get the improvement we want.