Whether you love or loathe the transfer window and all the mischievous headlines that come with it, the rumours and speculation are impossible to ignore.
Particularly when Bristol City's transfer business has quietened down following Stefan Bajic's arrival just over two weeks ago. Certain names have come and gone, some more obscure than others including striker Felipe Caicedo (most recently with Inter Milan) and winger Marlos Moreno.
What is for certain, Nigel Pearson and CEO Richard Gould will be working hard behind the scenes to have a successful transfer window, if not already. The manager will still feel he's a couple of players short including in defence and midfield, positions he'll be hoping to strengthen by September 1.
Then there are the outgoings. Tyreeq Bakinson is heading to Sheffield Wednesday and that deal could be completed before the weekend. Zak Vyner is another who could leave once a replacement comes in while goalkeeper Max O'Leary may also head out on loan once Bajic recovers from his wrist injury.
On Wednesday there was a report in Football League World suggesting Middlesbrough had sent an enquiry to Bristol City regarding Antoine Semenyo. Supporters need not panic, with those reports wide of the mark. Although the Robins were linked with two players today as we give you the club's transfer headlines round-up.
Blackburn bid for Szmodics
The former Bristol City midfielder is wanted back in the Championship following his relegation to League One with Peterborough - but Posh's Sporting Director Barry Fry is having none of it as it stands.
He admitted the club have rejected three offers from Blackburn Rovers, all over £1million and all an increase on what Peterborough paid City for him in September 2020. Szmodics has enjoyed two good seasons for his club, firstly scored 15 goals to send them up to the Championship and a further six last season.
Reported by Peterborough Today, Fry said: "Blackburn have made three bids for Sammie and we have rejected them all. Whether or not they come back with another offer is anyone’s guess.
"The gaffer doesn’t want to lose a player with such a good League One scoring record. We don’t want to lose any senior player for that matter.
"Blackburn have bid way in excess of what we paid for Sammie and if the offers keep creeping up and the player knows he can earn £20k per week we could have a problem down the line. We are not at that stage yet. Sammie is aware of the offers, but he is committed to us. I can’t wait for the transfer window to shut as it’s very unsettling.”
Szmodics, 26, barely had a kick at Bristol City despite impressing in pre-season following his arrival from Colchester in 2019. Lee Johnson didn't fancy him having made just three league appearances before the club sent him on loan to Peterborough where he remained.
Bates on the move
Bristol City were one of the clubs linked with a move for Aberdeen's central defender David Bates just a year after he joined the club from Hamburg. Manager Jim Goodwin has been transforming his side this summer with seven new arrivals and six outgoings.
According to the Daily Record, Bates could be the latest name to fall victim to Aberdeen's underwhelming campaign, having seemingly fallen down the pecking order in the squad. He has failed to play in any of their three Scottish League Cup group games this month.
While it's no secret as such that manager Pearson wants a new central defender, particularly after Robbie Cundy's decision to join Barnsley on a free, Bates is unlikely to be one of the names high up on the list. It's worth noting also that the original source states City as a League One club with competition from Ipswich and Derby County for his signature.
He played 26 times for Aberdeen last season in their ninth-place finish and while we're trying to determine whether there is any truth to the matter, it seems likely this one can be filed alongside Steven Caulker and Curtis Davies in the transfer rumours to fall by the wayside column.
When and if Pearson can land his defensive target, it may allow Vyner to depart with the manager unwilling to let him leave while City's options remain light at the back. Ryley Towler and Duncan Idehen are in the frame too but the club are eager to send one or both out on loan. Tomas Kalas has also yet to play in pre-season matches in his recovery from injury.
City 'keeping tabs' on Sisay
You await a City transfer rumour for a while and then two come along like buses. Shortly after the links regarding Bates, reporter Pete O'Rourke claimed Bristol City were "keeping tabs" on free agent Alhagi Touray Sisay alongside Wycombe, Shrewsbury Town, Carlisle and Wrexham.
He's a 22-year-old striker born in Spain who has recently left his former club Haverfordwest County in the Welsh top flight after scoring 11 goals in 23 appearances. Prior to that, he had a loan at Cleesthorpe Town having played just twice for Grimsby.
O'Rourke adds how Accrington are likely to be his final destination this summer and are "preparing an offer" after impressing during a trial period. Nothing's ever certain in football but pretty sure we can confidently rule this one out.
Pearson is unlikely to add a striker to his ranks this summer and already has a minor selection dilemma in attack for the opening game. Assuming Chris Martin and Andi Weimann start up front with Mark Sykes likely to play as the No10, considering their performance against Forest Green, with Nahki Wells, Tommy Conway and Sam Bell all as options. Conway and Wells in particular proving in their pre-season form they are eager to be considered.
That's not including Antoine Semenyo when he returns from injury and Alex Scott who can also play in that role behind the forwards. Sisay is entirely unproven in England and perhaps City sent a scout to see him action once upon a time but the manager has other priorities to focus on including his defence and midfield.
Ex-City academy captain moves
Tom Harrison has made the move from Gloucester to Oxford City after coming through the ranks at the Robins.
The central defender captained the Under-23 side but left BS3 in December 2020, returning to Gloucester where he had previously enjoyed a loan spell which ended abruptly after breaking his leg.
Harrison turned professional at City in February 2018 and had loan spells with Hereford, Weston-super-Mare and Chippenham Town. Oxford City coach Ross Jenkins believes his education at City will stand him in good stead to succeed in the National League.
Jenkins said: "Tom’s had a great football education with Bristol City. He’s got great attributes, height, ability and a lot of strengths to his game. He’s come here and fitted in nicely and he’ll add strong competition to our backline. He’s a real positive signing for us.”
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