Doncaster Rovers transfer news with big-money deal for midfielder expected
Isaac Hutchinson is reportedly close to completing the biggest transfer in the recent history of Doncaster Rovers.
Bristol Rovers say they have accepted bids from two League One clubs for their attacking midfielder, but it is Rovers he is expected to join for what is being described in the south west as "an undisclosed six-figure fee".
Manager Grant McCann had spoken last week about being close to signing a midfielder as he looks to strengthen his squad for a second season of third-tier football.
After the Gas were relegated to League Two in the summer of 2025, Hutchinson spent the majority of last season on loan at divisional rivals Cheltenham Town, and the 26-year-old finished it with 20 goals in all competitions.
Doncaster already have a high-class attacking midfielder in Owen Bailey, who scored 16 goals in 2025-26. With unsurprising interest from other clubs, Rovers have offered a new contract to Bailey and Luke Molyneux, so the hope will be that it is not a case of one in, one out.
But Bailey performed to a high level last season in a variety of central midfield roles, at centre-back and right-back, so the thought of him playing alongside Hutchinson is an exciting one.
Hutchinson earnt his move to Bristol Rovers in 2024 on the back of 23 goals in all competitions across two seasons for Walsall. He added eight more for his new club, who paid £150,000 for him.
Doncaster have signed seven new players so far this summer, but all have been free transfers or loans.
They smashed their club record when they bought Billy Sharp from Sheffield United in 2012 for £1.15m but since then they are not thought to have paid even a tenth of that as a transfer fee.