Dale lose out on Holt but Adams is hot on hitlist

Nicky Adams in action against Dale in April

Rochdale lost out on one of their transfer targets today as Shrewsbury Town sealed the signing of Grant Holt from Nottingham Forest. Attention has now turned to the potential transfer of Nicky Adams from rivals Bury. The winger has been strongly linked with a move down Bury Road over the summer and the fact that Adams has stalled on a new deal at Gigg Lane has done little to quash the rumours.

Dale had a bid accepted for Holt by Forest, thought to be in the region of £150,000, but Holt agreed personal terms with Shrewsbury over the weekend. His signing was officially unveiled at a press conference this morning.

Town payed £170,000 for the striker, breaking their record transfer fee in the process.

Keith Hill's attentions will now turn to a number of other possibilities, the most likely of which is the signing of Adams from Bury.

The winger has yet to sign a new contract offer from the Gigg Lane club, fuelling speculation that he will leave before the season begins in August. Bury's directors expect him to make a decision on his future by the end of the week and are desperate to keep him after a season in which he made 43 appearances and scored 12 goals, including one against Dale in the 1-1 draw at Gigg Lane in April.

The 21-year-old's record means that Dale are likely to face competition for his signature but as yet they are the only club that has been named in the market for the winger.