Gillingham manager Neil Harris reacts to speculation linking them to Cheltenham’s Alfie May with Charlton and Derby County also interested

Gillingham manager Neil Harris admits he’s a fan of striker Alfie May - as speculation over a possible move to Priestfield persists.

Cheltenham striker May scored 20 League 1 goals last season and the 29-year-old has been on Gillingham’s radar for some time. Charlton Athletic have reportedly made a bid and there’s interest too from Derby County.

Gillingham director of football Kenny Jackett said last week that no bid from themselves had been made to Cheltenham for the striker - who could fetch a large six-figure fee - but that doesn’t mean there’s no interest.

With the summer transfer window now open and clubs heading back to training soon, Cheltenham will want to know whether their striker is staying or going.

Harris was quizzed about the rumours when speaking to the press on Monday.

“What I would say is, no smoke without fire,” he said.

“He is a player I have admired for a long time, coming through non-league levels. He's developed brilliantly into a league goalscorer.

“He's a local player as we know, but he's a Cheltenham player and we're very respectful to that.

“There's a lot of moving parts to sign a player who's under contract. He is a sought-after player.

“The fact that we're having this conversation is a real positive but there would have to be a lot of work and a lot of development for someone like Alfie May to come to Gillingham.

“I don't want to dampen the excitement and I don't want to add fuel to the fire at all. I just want to be as honest as I can be. Obviously he’s a player I admire but he is a Cheltenham player.

“Just watch this space on the centre-forward position because we are in need of attacking options and Alfie May is someone I have admired for a long time.”

Gillingham would have to stump up a