Bristol City are considering allowing Stefan Bajic to leave on loan this month which is likely to have an impact on Dan Bentley's immediate future, Bristol Live understands.
Reports in French publication Mercato claim French Ligue 2 side Valenciennes are in discussions with the Robins to sign the 21-year-old temporarily until the end of the season. Their goalkeeping coach, Jeremie Janot, worked with Bajic while he was coming through the ranks at St-Etienne.
Bajic has made just one senior appearance for City following his arrival on a free transfer from Pau in the summer. He was handed his debut in the 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Lincoln and has impressed during his time with the Under-21s.
Signed with an eye towards the future, he has remained third choice behind Max O'Leary and Bentley. Nigel Pearson has been highly complimentary of Bajic's progress and suggested in October that he was fast-tracking himself into contention.
That hasn't materialised and a loan move where he will play regular competitive football and increase his experience could benefit all parties. Valenciennes currently sit 11th in the French second tier.
However, the transfer is only likely to be sanctioned if Bentley stays at the club this month. Stoke City have an interest in taking him on loan but are also believed to be looking at other options, including Leicester City's Daniel Iversen.
The Potters' need to sign a new stopper only intensified over the weekend after they allowed second-choice stopper Joe Bursik to join Club Brugge. Pearson spoke about Bentley's short-term future during last week's press conference in which he suggested any offer they have received has been well below the club's expectations.
Bentley, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is one of the club's highest earners after joining from Brentford during the summer of 2019. When asked if they would consider moving on the club captain should a serious offer come in, he replied: "It all depends on what you call a serious offer.
"You would be very, very surprised by what clubs deem to be reasonable offers. We will only move players if it’s in our interest to do it or if we feel it’s a fair situation.”
There is a desire to trim the wage bill this month which will then allow further scope to bring in new arrivals although City will not be bullied into letting players leave. "We’ve had enquiries about players but it just remains that," Pearson added.
"There have been tentative enquiries but not a lot going on really. I think it indicates where football feels it is at this level. Championship clubs are facing similar scenarios and coming to terms with the financial aspects of life post-COVID."
There is, of course, always the possibility that both players could leave this month if City can line up a replacement to provide competition for O'Leary. If Bajic does head out on loan, that will mean Harvey Wiles-Richards is likely to be third choice. Will Buse, 21, is currently on loan in the National League with Yeovil Town.
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