Leyton Orient should prepare moves for Stockport County contract rebels after Wembley heartbreak | OneFootball

These potential signings could push Orient back into the promotion race next season.

Leyton Orient have their work cut out for them in this upcoming transfer window.

A number of key players look set to depart the club, as loanees return to their parent clubs, while stars such as Dan Agyei and Omar Beckles are yet to see their contracts extended beyond the end of this month.

With many holes in the squad needing to be filled before the season kicks off in August, the O's will likely be looking to bring new faces to E10 across the next few weeks.

As we approach the opening of the transfer window, two players that have been very familiar with Orient this season have made themselves available.

Stockport duo Collar and Touray turn down new deals

Will Collar and Ibou Touray, two crucial players in the Stockport County side that faced off against the O's on four occasions last season including in the League One play-offs, have recently turned down contract offers and will be free agents at the end of the month.

Collar, despite a plethora of quality midfielders being brought to Edgeley Park in recent years, had been a stalwart in the side since joining in 2021 - helping the Hatters to two league-winning promotions in four seasons.

At 28, the midfielder will be entering his prime years on the pitch, and declined an offer from County to remain beyond this summer, with club CEO Simon Wilson stating to the club website: "He is rightly a man in demand, and we have had to respect that the decision around his next move has to be in the best interest of himself and his family."

Touray was previously captain of League Two side Salford City, helping them to promotion from the National League in 2019 - the same year the O's clinched the league title.

Since arriving in 2021, Touray had made the left-back position his own, with only Kyle Wootton and Tanto Olaofe making more appearances than the Gambian last season - with the club CEO also adding: "We offered Ibby an opportunity to stay at the club, however, as a free agent this Summer he was rightly afforded a lot of options and wanted to explore the market."

Collar and Touray could replace key players from last season

As things stand, Orient have got several positions to fill in by the time August rolls around and the 25/26 season kicks off.

Loanees such as Charlie Kelman and Jamie Donley will go onto bigger and better things, but Oxford United's Jack Currie could leave the biggest hole in the side if he is not replaced adequately.

The 23-year-old full-back gave everything across his 45 appearances for the O's last season, and was often referred to by Orient supporters as "Mr Consistent".

Touray, while in the peak years of his career, has the quality and, most importantly, experience to replace a player so crucial to Orient's almost fairytale run last season.

Likewise, Collar could be seen as the man to take over from Ethan Galbraith following his inevitable departure.

Galbraith, now a regular Northern Ireland international, has recently seen links to Championship sides Sheffield United and Swansea City.

With the 24-year-old nailed on to be departing E10 for a seven-figure sum - getting a player with the talents of Collar on a free transfer would be an incredibly shrewd bit of business that would allow any potential transfer earnings to be spent on other key areas of the squad.

If the O's could pull off a move for both Touray and Collar, it would instantly propel them back into any potential promotion conversations and set them up for an exciting season.