'Serious interest' in Chesterferfield striker Akwasi Asante led to new contract

The 28-year-old has penned a new deal until the summer of 2024.

The forward has scored 10 goals in 14 league matches for the Spireites since joining from Gloucester City, where he bagged eight goals in nine matches up until November.

“We wanted to make sure that we got Akwasi signed up because of his form and obviously he has attracted interest from other clubs which naturally he is going to do with his 10 goals since he has arrived let alone the goals he scored at Gloucester for me,” Town boss James Rowe said.

“He is a talented lad in the peak years.

“Signing your main-stay striker at the moment, who is scoring goals, on a longer-term deal fits into what we want to do.

“There was some serious interest. Of course your main assets are always going to attract that interest so it was important to tie him down on that front but also because he fits into the way we want to play.”

Asante is the National League’s fifth top scorer despite only playing in the division since the end of November.

He is five goals behind Bromley’s Michael Cheek, but Asante has played 11 games fewer.

Rowe added: “He is doing really well, he is scoring goals, he could be a bit more ruthless, he has had extra chances to score more than what he has, I think he will admit that himself.

“I think there are areas where we can improve his game and he can bring more to the team.”