Bristol City defender Ryley Towler is close to completing a shock transfer to League One Portsmouth, Bristol Live understands, in what would be the first significant piece of business for the Robins in this transfer window.
Towler has spent the first half of the season on loan at AFC Wimbledon in League Two and impressed over his 17 appearances under Johnnie Jackson and the expectation heading into January was that the 20-year-old would complete the campaign in south London.
However, Pompey’s bid - believed to be a low six-figure fee with future incentives - has persuaded City to cut short his loan spell and sanction a sale and the defender is in talks over a long-term contract. The decision now lies in Towler's hands.
The former Mangotsfield School pupil has been with City since he was eight, working his way through the age groups and has made a handful of first-team appearances, under Nigel Pearson and predecessor Dean Holden, but hasn’t looked wholly comfortable in the Championship.
His solitary appearance last season saw him struggle over 45 minutes against Millwall in which he was culpable for the opener losing Tom Bradshaw for a free header, conceded a penalty for the second and was nearly sent-off before Pearson withdrew him at half-time.
There was a belief that a season in League Two would sharpen and prepare him for next season but ultimately Pearson has decided, given City’s financial situation and Towler’s long-term prospects at the club, the offer presented is too good to turn down.
Pompey are without a manager following the dismissal of Danny Cowley earlier this week but Rich Hughes has been in charge of their recruitment process since arriving from Forest Green Rovers in September and has admired Towler for some time.
The Bristolian, who has also previously been on loan at Grimsby Town, Taunton Town and Frome Town, has excelled for AFC Wimbledon as the left-sided defender in a back three, a role he has looked most comfortable in when starring for City’s Under-21s, but he has also been used as a left wing-back.
City loaned Joe Low to Walsall on Wednesday, with Under-21 midfielder Ben Acey joining Guernsey FC on a temporary basis but Towler will become the first sale of the transfer window as Pearson needs to raise some transfer revenue before being able to make reinforcements of his own.
Last month he hinted he may be able to conduct some business without losing prized assets Alex Scott, Antoine Semenyo or Tommy Conway, and the exit of Towler could hint at a different kind of recruitment plan for the Robins over the next four weeks.
Pearson has indicated that the Robins will have to be creative with the manager also hoping to use some players who are out of contract this summer as makeweights in potential deals.
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