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The local Southend press are claiming that a trio of clubs are chasing Gary Hooper - but the Bulls are not one of them.
The Southend Echo claims the Bulls have been priced out of the running with the price tag now £100,000. The paper quotes a source at Roots Hall: "Gary's availability has alerted a number of clubs and these three are all keen on signing him. It's good because it means his price has gone up and that will boost the transfer kitty the club has to bring in the players they want for next season."
The paper lists Stockport, Scunthorpe, and Cheltenham as the front runners. Both Stockport and Scunthorpe have money in the bank following striker sales, while Cheltenham expect to offload Steven Gillespie soon after the club confirmed the player had submitted a transfer request.
The size of the Bulls' 'war chest' is unknown with Graham Turner keeping the strength of his hand close to his chest. A claimed potential club record fee for Lionel Ainsworth plus the profits of recent seasons have been put to use with a series of offers for players, but none of the offers - or the confirmed deal for Matt Done - had an actual figure attached to them.
Turner stated in an interview two weeks ago that he had made, and increased, an offer for Hooper and that it was, effectively, take it or leave it. With the press reports today, Bulls fans can expect Gary Hooper to be heading elsewhere without a change in circumstances.
