Bristol City have made two early splashes in the summer transfer window with the arrivals of Mark Sykes and Kal Naismith, plus have secured Timm Klose for another season, but undoubtedly want to secure more business over the next few weeks.
With players returning from summer holidays this week, activity in the market is set to increase with free agents making their decisions on where they want to be playing their football for 2022/23 and beyond.
From City's perspective, there is also the question of outgoings at Ashton Gate with Tomas Kalas a potential target for Stoke City and Antoine Semenyo under consideration at Celtic, while French interest in Han-Noah Massengo is well established.
Here are the latest rumours across the division involving City's Championship rivals...
Bluebirds Bale chase begins
Cardiff City are “stepping up” their pursuit of Gareth Bale, according to BBC Sport Wales, with the superstar forward available on a free transfer this summer following his release by Real Madrid.
City chairman Mehmet Dalman has flown into the UK to lead negotiations with the 32-year-old who is in need of a new club following Wales’ qualification to Qatar 2022.
A return to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League has been mooted, as have options in MLS but Cardiff believe they have a chance of landing arguably Wales’ greatest ever footballer.
Bale was born and went to school in Cardiff but has never played domestic football in his home country after signing for Southampton when he was nine. He is said to be open to taking a “significant” pay cut after earning almost £600,000-a-week during his nine years in Spain with Madrid.
Blackpool make approach for Duff
Blackpool have made an official approach to Cheltenham Town to speak with manager Michael Duff following the departure of Neil Critchley last week, reports Gloucestershire Live’s Jon Palmer.
Critchley left the Seasiders to join Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard’s No2 after an impressive return to the Championship after securing promotion last season.
Blackpool, who were also reportedly considering talking to former City head coach Dean Holden, have contacted League One Cheltenham to interview Duff, who has already held talks this summer with Barnsley over the vacancy at Oakwell.
Duff led Cheltenham to the League Two title in 2020/21 and the highest ever league position in their history last term, as they finished 15th in League One.
Brereton-Diaz has a host of Spanish admirers
Sevilla, Real Betis and Valencia are all interested in signing Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton-Diaz this summer, report The Sun .
Blackburn’s top scorer has 12 months remaining on his contract at Ewood Park after the club took up the option in his deal last month but that merely allows them to receive a significant fee this summer, rather than lose him on a free. The latest reports value the 23-year-old at around £13million.
Chilean international Brereton-Diaz, who scored 22 goals in all competitions, is also wanted by Leeds United, Everton and Bournemouth but any decision on his future is likely to be delayed due to Blackburn yet to appoint a new manager or sporting director.
Rangers line up Tymon
Stoke City left-back Josh Tymon is emerging as a summer target for Scottish giants Rangers in case Croatian Borna Barisic leaves the club.
Tymon, who can play as both full-back and wing-back, was a regular for the Potters last term and has two years remaining on his contract at the bet365 Stadium so would cost a substantial fee.
The Scottish Sun report that the expectation in Glasgow is that although they are yet to receive any offers for Barisic, the 29-year-old is likely to leave Scotland for a move to a top-flight European league.
Rangers have increasingly recruited from the EFL in recent seasons with Joe Aribo, Glen Kamara and Ryan Kent all arriving from England’s lower leagues and becoming key players.
Spurs set for £15m Spence bid
Tottenham Hotspur are set to make a £15million bid for Middlesbrough wing-back Djed Spence following his outstanding campaign in helping Nottingham Forest earn promotion to the Premier League.
Spence excelled on loan at Forest, as they secured promotion via the play-offs, and although he has returned to parent club Boro, he will be playing in the top-flight in some form.
Spurs have been consistently linked with the 21-year-old throughout his breakout campaign and the Express report that an offer will be made after the conclusion of the international break, with Forest resigned to the fact he won’t be returning to the City Ground.
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