Forest Green are understood to be leading the race to land prolific striker Ollie Pearce.
A number of clubs are pursuing the 28-year-old Worthing FC hot shot, who plundered 46 goals in just 51 games, winning the golden boot in the National League South.
With a substantial war chest at his disposal, Forest Green boss Steve Cotterill landed Cheltenham Town duo Sean Long and Liam Sercombe on Friday as he aims to build a squad capable of returning to League Two at the first time of asking.
Pearce, an England C striker, has informed Worthing boss Aarran Racine, the ex-Forest Green defender, that he wants to explore the opportunity to play full-time football, he told Worthing’s club website: “I have absolutely loved my time at the club and it will always have a special place in my heart. The opportunity to play full-time football is just too good to turn down.”
Pearce spent six years at the West Sussex club and scored in a remarkable 10 consecutive matches from New Year’s Day through to the end of February. The ex-Bognor Regis forward scored his 150th club goal in the 3-1 away win at eventual league champions Yeovil Town.
He claimed both the Manager’s Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season at the club’s end-of-season awards last month.
Rovers previously signed Omar Bugiel from the then Isthmian Premier Division side in 2017.
