Exclusive: Forest Green keen on signing AFC Wimbledon midfielder Alfie Bendle

League Two side Forest Green Rovers are interested in signing AFC Wimbledon midfielder Alfie Bendle on a permanent deal.

The South London Press understands talks are ongoing between the two clubs over a deal.

Midfielder Bendle joined Wimbledon after leaving Brighton’s academy and signed his first professional deal with the club in January 2022.

He made his first start under Mark Bowen in the final game of the 2021-22 League One campaign as a 17-year-old, playing 83 minutes in the 3-4 defeat at home to Accrington Stanley.

Bowen – now head of football operations at Reading – said Bendle will be a “big player” for the club moving forward after the game.

Bendle featured 16 times last season in Johnnie Jackson’s first campaign in charge of the Dons.

The 18-year-old has had loan spells at Corinthian-Casuals and Eastbourne Borough during his time at Plough Lane.

However, his stint at Priory Lane was cut short last season due to the injuries Wimbledon picked up in the second half of the campaign.

Forest Green, who finished bottom of League One last season, kicked off their League Two campaign with a 2-0 defeat at home to Salford.

Former AFC Wimbledon recruitment manager Will Daniels is now the new head of recruitment, analysis and innovation at Forest Green.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD