Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson checks on highly-rated Mansfield defender

Doncaster Rovers are one of several clubs thought to be interested in highly-rated Mansfield Town defender Ryan Tafazolli.
Ryan Tafazolli. Photo: Dan WestwellRyan Tafazolli. Photo: Dan Westwell
Ryan Tafazolli. Photo: Dan Westwell

Darren Ferguson was at the One Call Stadium on the final day of the League Two season - and The Star understands it was Tafazolli he was checking on.

The 24-year-old centre half, a product of Southampton’s academy, is out of contract this summer and expected to move on.

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Ferguson is keen to make early inroads when it comes to recruitment, and his plans are set to become a lot clearer this week with Rovers expected to publish details of their retained list.

But should the Scot further his interest in Tafazolli, who scooped this season’s Fans’ and Players’ Player of the Year awards for the Stags, he is likely to face plenty of competition.

Mansfield manager Adam Murray said: “The chairman has put together an unbelievable offer and there is nothing more now that we can do – it is up to Taf.

“My gut feeling is that ‘yes’ he will leave the football club in the summer.

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“He is not financially driven and it is not the case that he his demanding x, y and z but, if he wants to play at a higher level, that is up to him. In my view, he would benefit from another season in League Two and try to become the best defender in the division, because he still has much to learn.”

Mansfield are also expected to announce their retained list this week.