Bristol City midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson is set to join Ipswich Town on loan until the end of the season, with discussions taking place over an option to make the move permanent, Bristol Live understands.
As first reported by Football Insider, Bakinson is on the verge of dropping down a division in League One where he would be reunited with former Robins chief executive Mark Ashton at Portman Road.
City activated the 12-month option in the 23-year-old's contract before Christmas with manager Nigel Pearson all-but admitting that was as much for business reasons as it was sporting. Now under contract until 2023, if Bakinson impresses in Suffolk that could enable a permanent switch in the summer.
Bakinson has made 13 Championship appearances in the City midfield this season, starting 10 matches, but his consistency has been a problem. At times he's looked a genuine Championship-level defensive midfielder, possessing a strong passing range and awareness in front of the back four.
But there has often been too many games where his good performances have been undone but his occasional lackadaisical style in possession and inability to take full control of matches.
That was evidenced throughout November when he anchored the midfield in the absence of Matty James and Andy King, and although performances against Stoke City - where he scored the winner - and Blackburn Rovers stood out, there were troubling displays against Sheffield United and at Birmingham City.
Ashton was CEO at Ashton Gate when City first brought Bakinson to the club as an 18-year-old in August 2017 from Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.
Bakinson's imminent departure does reduce Pearson's options in central midfield with James, King, Han-Noah Massengo and the returning Joe Williams his senior first-team players in that area of the pitch.
But it does point to the possibility to reinforcements arriving with the manager consistent in his message that City can only do business once players are moved on and the wage bill is reduced.
Ipswich are expected to pay a contribution to Bakinson's wages but he is not among the higher earners at the club, however it would seem risky to allow him to leave without the prospect of extra bodies being added to the squad.
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