SPECULATION over the future of Pars star Josh Edwards has continued to link him with moves south of the border.

The highly-rated left full-back, who turned 24 on Monday, has been subject to reported interested from several clubs for his services.

Edwards, who is under contract with Dunfermline until next summer, after the club triggered a clause to extend his deal that was due to run until the end of the season just completed, is suggested to be on the radar of teams in English Football League (EFL) League One and Championship.

Last week, reports had suggested that Athletic had knocked back an offer from Charlton Athletic, having previously booted out a bid from Barnsley during the January transfer window.

Dunfermline Press:

In addition to the Addicks, who paid Dunfermline around £600,000 to sign Greg Shields in 1999, Oxford United, promoted to the Championship after defeating Bolton Wanderers in the League One play-off final at Wembley, have been credited with an interest, as have Bristol Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Lincoln City, Blackpool and Cambridge United.

A report in the South London Press claimed that Charlton had made an offer to the club, which was being considered, and that they hoped to conclude a deal by the end of this week.

Press Sport understands that no deal that would see Edwards depart is imminent, but following the rejected offer made to the club in January, McPake said at the time: "I've said to him, the moves will come for him.

"If he keeps doing what he's doing for us, he'll go and have a fantastic career because he's doing everything right. He's training right, he's working right and he's looking after himself right.

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"He'll deserve whatever comes for him in football, but we're delighted to keep him."

Ahead of Athletic's penultimate Championship fixture, there were further reports linking Edwards to Oxford and Lincoln, which McPake played down.

Since joining the club in 2019, Edwards has gone on to make 182 appearances for the club, and he played in all 42 of their competitive matches in the most recent campaign, scoring four goals.

Last week, the Pars announced that Alex Jakubiak, Paul Allan, Max Little and Miller Fenton would be leaving the club upon the expiry of their contracts, alongside youngsters Michael Beagley and Jake Rennie.

They have made one signing ahead of next season in the shape of forward Chris Kane, who returns from St Johnstone on a permanent basis after a productive loan stint.

The 29-year-old scored five goals in 10 appearances for the Pars, including a brace in the final day 3-3 draw at Ayr United, in which Edwards also found the net.