Glenavon talisman remains Irish League transfer target despite 'decided to stay' club statement
Peter Campbell could still make a summer exit from relegated Glenavon - with top-flight Irish League sides refusing to end interest despite a club statement this week listing the talisman having, along with others, "decided to stay and help guide us back to the Premiership".
With key duo Jacob Carney and Paul McGovern expected to leave the Lurgan Blues, the News Letter understands a number of clubs have highly-rated Campbell as a transfer target and will aim to test Glenavon's stance with bids for the 28-year-old still under contract.
Earlier this week, Glenavon announced Campbell, Harry Murphy, Oran O’Kane, Jordan McMullan, Paddy Burns, Luke Cartwright, Mark Byrne, Ben Wilson, Luke McGerrigan, James Heaney, Matthew Allen and Charlie McShane alongside a statement “we are pleased to announce that a strong core of our team has decided to stay and help guide us back to the Premiership”.
Despite suffering a drop out of the senior division for the first time in over 20 years, Glenavon officials will take positives moving forward from the list of players under contract but remain braced for the potential of outside interest to challenge that resolve.
Campbell, who is tied to the club until the summer of 2028, has become established as a star performer for the Mourneview Park outfit since joining from Loughgall in 2020.
Despite starting just 17 games due to injury, Campbell delivered three goals and 11 assists across 23 league appearances in last season’s relegation battle.
Former Manchester United youngster Carney made 26 league appearances for Glenavon having returned to the Irish League last summer – the 25-year-old previously enjoyed a loan spell at Portadown.
McGovern, 18, scored eight Premiership goals in a breakthrough season last term.