Sources: Gillingham reject six-figure Charlton Athletic bid for Dempsey
Gillingham have rejected a £200,000 bid from Charlton Athletic for midfielder Kyle Dempsey, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The 25-year-old has been a man in demand since January and the Addicks have firmed up their interest with a formal offer.
However, a Gillingham source has told Football Insider Charlton's opening bid for the midfielder has been rebuffed.
As revealed by Football Insider in April, Nottingham Forest were also considering a move for Dempsey ahead of the summer window.
Back then, he was valued by Gillingham between £500,000 and £750,000.
As detailed by this site in January, Forest, Preston, Barnsley and Luton were in the race to sign Dempsey during the winter transfer window.
As quoted by Kent Online in February, manager Steve Evans confirmed the club had turned down a "really good offer" for the former Fleetwood man.
They have now rejected Charlton's efforts to prise him away before the August 31 transfer deadline.
Dempsey joined the Gills on a free after leaving Fleetwood in August 2020.
Gillingham did not disclose the length of his contract upon his signing.
He was appointed club captain and has established himself as a first-team mainstay.
Dempsey made 44 appearances and scored eight goals across all competitions.
He has gone on to play every minute of the club's four League One fixtures this term.
A graduate of the Carlisle youth academy, Dempsey has also turned out for Huddersfield, Fleetwood and Peterborough.
He has spent most of his career in League One, with 177 third-tier appearances under his belt.
Charlton's interest comes after a poor start to the season for Nigel Adkins' men.
They currently sit 21st in League One after one draw and three defeats in four games.