SWINDON are set to look elsewhere in their pursuit of a winger after a bid for Luke Rooney has been rebuffed by Gillingham, the Advertiser understands.

The 21-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, was earmarked as one of Town’s main January targets, with boss Paolo Di Canio having spoken of his admiration of the player earlier in the season.

Swindon made a six-figure bid for Rooney last week but it is understood that has now been rejected and it is likely that the Robins will now turn their attention elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Oxford United confirmed yesterday that they had rejected an approach by Swindon for their top scorer James Constable.

Di Canio has been keen on the 27-year-old since he scored two against Town back in August, and resurrected his interest by placing a firm bid earlier this week.

Oxford chose to reject that, but U’s boss Chris Wilder insists the decision to turn down the bid was purely for financial reasons, rather than the club’s rivalry with Swindon.

“I don’t think you can discriminate against any club,” he said.

“I know they are the local rivals, but there has always got to be emotion taken out of the equation – and I appreciate how hard that is sometimes.

“You have to make a sensible decision that involves everybody – obviously the player, but most importantly, the club.”

Town are certainly active in the transfer market and Di Canio confirmed yesterday that he is hopeful of bringing on-loan striker Ronan Murray to the club on a permanent basis.

The Irishman is due to return to parent club Ipswich after tomorrow’s game at Rotherham, but Swindon are lining up a bid to bring him back to the County Ground.

“I want to buy him and the offer is a fair amount of money because he is a young, talented player,” said Di Canio.

“If we can go through with the money we have offered already we will be very happy and he is happy here.

“We will see after the Rotherham game.”