Southend United have turned down a transfer approach from an unnamed League One side for midfielder Oli Coker.
The midfielder is an academy graduate at Roots Hall and has continued to rise through the ranks and become a first-team regular under Kevin Maher.
However, interest in the midfielder continues to grow and a move away from the National League could be on the cards.
Southend turn down League One approach
As reported by journalist Chris Phillips, Southend United have turned down a transfer approach from an unnamed League One side for midfielder Oli Coker.
The 22-year-old is under contract at the National League play-off finalists until June 2026 and remains a key part of the club heading into next season.
Currently, no side has been named publicly as making an approach for the midfielder and whether or not a second offer is made remains to be seen.
How did he fare last season?
After contributing nine goals in 26 league matches in the campaign prior, a lot of eyes were on the 22-year-old heading into the previous season.
He featured in 35 of their 46 league matches and improved on his previous tally by contributing to ten goals including a crucial assist against Forest Green Rovers in the play-off semi-final.
Coker is yet to feature for any other side than Southend, and despite interest growing it seems as though the National League side are standing firm in their stance.
Could Coker be the difference for Southend’s promotion hopes?
The spine of any side will make or break any football club, depending on how effected it is during a season/transfer window.
Coker has impressed on multiple occasions alongside the likes of Noor Husin, Keenan Appiah-Forson and Cav Miley for Southend, but in terms of goal contributions he was the clubs most influential midfielder last season.
He certainly did enough to justify a step up to the EFL but the financial side of any deal has to meet Southend’s demands otherwise it appears to be extremely unlikely that he would depart.
If he is retained this summer, Southend on paper would have one of the strongest midfield units in the division and that will make a huge positive difference towards their promotion dreams.
