Coventry City are targeting a deadline day move for Bristol City left-back Jay Dasilva which could present an intriguing dilemma for manager Nigel Pearson.
Dasilva is out of contract at the end of the season and unless the 24-year-old is willing to accept considerably lower terms than what he signed in 2019, is likely to leave Ashton Gate. Football Insider report that talks have taken place between City and Coventry over a move, as the Robins continue to shed their wage bill.
Auxerre are set to sign Han-Noah Massengo on loan and cover his full salary and having moved Dan Bentley to Wolves for a nominal fee and made a saving on the final six months of his contract a similar tactic could be applied to Dasilva, who also is among the team’s highest earners.
Dasilva has lost his place in the side to Cam Pring but did make an impressive return to the starting XI against West Brom in the FA Cup on Saturday, playing 88 minutes and earning an embrace from his manager.
Pring is expected to take over at left-back for Saturday’s Championship trip to Preston North End but Dasilva remains City’s only other player in the position. Therefore, any departure between now and 11pm on Tuesday would need to see a replacement arrive and if the Robins can't sure a replacement, then any transfer will surely be vetoed albeit with the club than having to swallow the final six months of his contract.
That would therefore explain the reported bids the Robins have seen rejected for AFC Wimbledon’s Jack Currie who has enjoyed a breakout campaign in League Two and after earning more than £2m in player sales over the last six months, the Dons are under no pressure to sell.
Bristol Live understands that Coventry are not the only team in the Championship interested in Dasilva with Birmingham City holding a long-standing interest, but sources have indicated Blues have all-but given up on the prospect of signing him, indicating a deal with Coventry could be close.
A move to the Coventry Building Society Arena would reunite Dasilva with his former Robins teammate and friend Kasey Palmer, who has flourished after being marginalised by Pearson. But, crucially, also former Chelsea youth team coach Adi Viveash who serves as Mark Robins’ No2.
Viveash and Dasilva had a lengthy conversation during the warm-up before the Championship clash between the sides at Coventry on New Year’s Day, with Dasilva an unused substitute.
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