Bristol City still hold a interest in defender Jake O'Brien and Jack Currie and are likely to reignite their offers during the summer transfer window, Bristol Live can reveal. The Robins wanted both players during the January window but missed out due to financial obstacles.
O'Brien, a towering central defender, is currently on loan with Belgian side RWD Molenbeek from Crystal Palace. City held talks with Crystal Palace over a potential loan deal for the 21-year-old during the January window with Nigel Pearson eager to bolster his defensive options. However, a deal fell through as the Premier League side refused to lower their wage fee.
The club have a long-standing interest in O'Brien with scouts watching him in Belgium this season. He has played 20 times in the league with his side top of the First Division and on course for promotion to the top flight.
Pearson has been after a right-sided defender since last summer and the club's need for a new centre-back is likely to be magnified as the immediate future of Tomas Kalas becomes clearer. The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season while it seems increasingly likely he could move on with ongoing question marks over his injury record.
Zak Vyner was linked with a move to Brentford on Thursday however Bristol Live understands rumours are wide of the mark. However, it does raise the debate about his long-term future beyond this season.
City recently activated the one-year extension in his contract to tie him down until 2024 but unless they can agree to a new deal, with conversations ongoing, they may have to sell him this summer to avoid losing him for nothing next year.
O'Brien's contract with Palace expires in 2024 and would therefore be open to selling him for the right price. He does have experience in senior football in England having spent the second half of last season on loan with Swindon before being linked with a possible move to Bristol Rovers.
In terms of Currie, he's another player City are still pursuing. The AFC Wimbledon left-back looked set to join in January, which would have facilitated Jay Dasilva's move to Coventry.
However, the League Two side claim City failed to meet their asking price while also refusing to send him back to the club for the rest of the season. Bristol Live understands the top offer reached in the region of £600,000 before the Reds decided to walk away.
Similar to Kalas, it also seems likely Dasilva will depart on a free transfer unless he accepts a reduction in his wages. Last month, Pearson said there had been "no definitive outcome" regarding his immediate future.
City want to move quickly with three or four players at the end of the season with Aberdeen's Ross McCrorie likely to be among those players. The 25-year-old can play as a defensive midfielder and central defender but City will have to fend off competition for his signature.
According to Football Insider, Palace midfielder Killian Phillips is another player of interest with Luton and Millwall also looking into his availability. The 21-year-old is currently on loan with Steve Cotterill's Shrewsbury with his deal at the Premier League side ending in 2024.
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