Gillingham have had a bid rejected for Barnet winger Idris Kanu, according to journalist Pete O’Rouke.
The 24-year-old Sierra Leonean international featured regularly for National League side Barnet last season, as the North London-based club made it into the playoffs, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion, finishing second behind Chesterfield. However, Kanu couldn’t see his team over the line, with Solihull Moors advancing to Wembley.
Making 37 appearances for the Bees in all competitions last season, Kanu chipped in with seven goals and five assists, many of which did come in the National League. Last season was his most productive in London regarding goal contributions, matching his number of appearances from the 2022/23 season, but contributing four more goals and assists.
Kanu has made his debut on the international stage, coming off the bench in an international friendly against Comoros in 2021. He has since gone on to make one further appearance, yet again featuring as a substitute in an international friendly against South Africa a year later.
The former West Ham youth academy prospect has featured for a multitude of clubs, including the likes of Northampton Town, Boreham Wood, Peterborough United, Port Vale and Aldershot, before joining Barnet for an undisclosed fee on deadline day in 2022.
Barnet have been busy on the transfer front so far, bringing in 13 new players, and letting go of seven. The likes of Harry Chapman, Nick Haynes and Anthony Hartigan have come from EFL clubs such as Bradford City, Ipswich Town and Mansfield Town, with other players such as prospects Finley Wilkinson and Joe Rye coming in from lower league clubs.
The Gills, likewise, have been busy this summer after appointing new manager Mark Bonner. Elliot Nevitt, Armani Little and Jack Nolan have all joined from League Two rival clubs, whilst the likes of Aaron Rowe and Jacob Wakeling have made a step down from the third tier of English football.
Bonner seemingly wants to strengthen the wings, with Kanu able to play on both sides of the pitch. However, Gillingham may have reached a roadblock, with a bid for the winger being rejected by Barnet. Although the winger’s three-year deal does run out at the end of this season, the Bees either want to hold onto the 24-year-old or they do not feel like the League Two side’s bid matches their evaluation for Kanu, who may again prove crucial if Barnet are pushing for promotion again.
Writers View
Kanu may prove to be a low-risk signing if Gillingham agrees on a reasonable price for the winger. Versatile and still reasonably young, the Gills have opted for a sensible target. The National League has provided a multitude of talents to both the EFL and the Premier League in recent seasons, and Kanu may end up the next player to make the step up, with Bonner hoping to coerce the 24-year-old away from the Hive.
From Kanu’s perspective, he now has a difficult decision to make. Does he want to trust the process at Barnet, or does he want to jump ship to a side looking to challenge for promotion back up to League One. It’s no secret that Barnet are aiming for EFL football, and that is seen in the signings they have so far made in the window. However, Gillingham do offer the chance to play EFL football this season, rather than potentially next season.
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