Leyton Orient majority shareholder David Gandler has issued a clear warning to Dom Ballard’s pursuers as transfer interest in the striker continues to mount.
The 21-year-old only joined the O’s last summer and proved to be pivotal in his club’s survival in League One. He hit 23 goals to finish as the division’s top scorer, whilst he also swept up at the end of season awards, winning both the Young Player and Player of the Season.
This led to speculation that a host of clubs would attempt to prise the youngster away from Brisbane Road, and it was Bristol City who first brought an offer to the table. The Robins have been knocked back twice, with the latest offer thought to be around £4 million.
Orient Stance Clear
Recently relegated Leicester City are also said to be keen on the attacker as they look to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking. It has been widely reported that Orient are holding out for £5 million, with that figure yet to be hit by any of the interested parties.
Those chasing have now been sent a clear message from co-owner David Gandler. Via Leicestershire Live, he said:
“It’s very simple, the club has to receive an acceptable offer, something that will allow us to plan for the future.
“If that doesn’t happen, we are under no pressure to sell. I do believe that there are clubs out there that think we’re still little Leyton Orient. We’re not.
Leyton Orient reportedly rejected a £2.5 million offer from Bristol City earlier this week. According to @FootballLeagueW, they want double. Is he worth it?#LOFC #BristolCity pic.twitter.com/2AlKWwRaq0
— The Football Lowdown (@FBLowdown) July 2, 2026
“We want to be able to deliver on our goal, which is to build a sustainable Championship club. We will do that.
“We obviously also want to continue to support the career of players such as Dom Ballard. We have done that, we have developed a platform for him to be able to showcase his skills, but again, it’s very important for us to assure we get offers that we think will create value for the football club over the long term.
“We are under no pressure to sell any players, unless it’s feasible.”
Bristol City And Leicester Need To Up Ante
Bristol City’s stance regarding their pursuit of Ballard is currently unclear following the signing of Lorent Tolaj earlier this week. However, new manager Michael Skubala is still keen to add to his squad before the end of the transfer window, and it could be possible that they return to Orient with a final ‘take it or leave it’ offer.
It could be that Leicester take a steer in the situation in the coming weeks as the reality of League One football sets in. Although the Foxes haven’t made their interest concrete just yet, the former Southampton youngster is surely near the top of their wish list.
He is a player who has proven he can clearly cut it in England’s third tier. Having hit 23 goals for a team that spent most of last season battling relegation, he will surely thrive in a squad that are expected to dominate games over the next 12 months.