Hartlepool United are continuing their recruitment plan under new manager Lee Clark, with three players already through the door and now the club's stance regarding a potential fourth addition has been confirmed. The Pools have already secured the signings of Jordan Hugill, Jack Nolan, and Brooklyn Ilunga, ahead of next season – as the club continue to plot their return to the EFL. Whilst more signings will be on the way for the club as the summer progresses, it doesn't stop speculation in regards to individuals that could join Hartlepool over the coming weeks. Unsurprisingly, the new era surrounding the football club has led to several social media reports linking Hartlepool with potential recruits and one of those claims has been addressed on Twitter on Wednesday evening. With Clark and Hugill having both joined the club from Rotherham earlier this summer, it has led some fans to speculate that a third individual could be repeating the process, however those reports have been ruled out quickly. As confirmed via BBC Sport Teeside commentator Rob Law, Hartlepool United won't be signing winger Duncan Watmore on a free transfer this summer. Watmore was playing Championship football for Millwall as recently as May 2025, but was released by League Two-bound side Rotherham last month and unsurprisingly there has been speculation that he may follow the earlier duo to Hartlepool but this has been ruled out. The 32-year-old was reduced to just 13 appearances in League One last season, failing to contribute to a goal as the Millers were relegated. In a reply to a tweet regarding another potential signing, Law confirmed that Watmore will not be joining the club. The news will come as a blow to fans who were hoping to see the experienced winger join the club, but it's clear that the Pools are focused on building a strong squad for the upcoming season.