The summer transfer window is very much in its preliminary state, to the point it's not even officially open yet. That doesn't occur until June 14, but by then Bristol City are confident they would have secured at least two deals with the anticipated arrivals of Joe Bryan and Ross McCrorie.
The publication of the released list this week provided some clarity on the destinies of a number of players, allowing Nigel Pearson, technical director Brian Tinnion and the rest of the recruitment team to focus on what's ahead of them as the club continue to work on other targets.
As players and senior staff return from holidays over the next week, activity is sure to pick up but here is the latest transfer news involving the Robins at this early stage of the window...
Buse heads home
Former Bristol City goalkeeper Will Buse has signed for hometown club Yeovil Town on a two-year deal less than 48 hours after his release from Ashton Gate.
Buse spent last season on loan at Huish Park, where he made two appearances for the Glovers as they were relegated from the National League but was available on a free transfer as his time at City has come to an end.
The 21-year-old was among nine senior and Under-21 players to be released this week and Yeovil manager Mark Cooper, son of City legend Terry, has moved quickly to bring him back to Somerset.
“Will is a local boy and has the club at heart so I’m really pleased to have him on board,” Cooper said. “He showed towards the end of the season what a competent and aggressive goalkeeper he can be. We are working towards seeing him develop as our No1 goalkeeper.”
Edwards still under contract
City’s release list appeared to be missing a name this week as Robins fans have been curious to learn of Owura Edwards’ future in the West Country as he nears the end of his loan with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.
Edwards has made 34 appearances north of the border, scoring five, but the perception was his contract was nearing conclusion with no confirmation on whether City were going to activate the 12-month option they hold on his agreement signed in the summer of 2021.
Edwards’ contract was announced alongside Ryley Towler, Tommy Conway and Sam Pearson, with the former having been sold to Portsmouth and the latter set to leave BS3 this summer amid interest from Notts County.
However, Bristol Live understands that although it wasn’t publicised at the time, the 22-year-old’s option was exercised back in January and he remains a City player for at least another year and will have a chance to prove himself in pre-season.
Likewise, midfielder Dylan Kadji who experienced a challenging loan spell at Swindon Town in the second half of last season but still has 12 months remaining on his Robins contract.
Nisbet accepts he may leave Hibs
Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet, who is attracting Championship interest from Millwall and Blackburn Rovers and has been linked with Bristol City has indicated these next two games could be his last for the club.
Nisbet was on the verge of joining the Lions in January after a £2.3m fee was agreed but the deal collapsed and after scoring 10 goals in 18 games since recovering from an ACL injury and with his contract at Easter Road up in 2024, his departure this summer looks likely.
Bristol Live understands Nisbet is not an immediate target of the Robins, because Nigel Pearson is well-stocked in the strikers’ department, but is under consideration should players at Ashton Gate move on in the summer, with Tommy Conway the obvious candidate.
The 26-year-old is also likely to be available for a fee considerably less than what was quoted in January with the Scotland international telling the Edinburgh Evening News : “My agent and the club are in good dialogue with each other and I've said I kind of want to stay out of it. I just want to focus on finishing the season well.
"This is my third season here and I've got a good connection with the club. They've been great to me so if I can return the investment, that would be great for all parties."
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