It's transfer deadline day and whether you like it or loathe it, it's impossible to ignore it.
Fortunately, it's set to be a very quiet day and evening from a Bristol City perspective meaning Nigel Pearson will be keeping hold of key men Antoine Semenyo and Alex Scott until at least January.
While that is excellent news, it also means City are unlikely to bring in any new faces having failed to raise any additional funds. The manager stated his intentions on Monday that he would like to bring in a central defender and a left-sided player.
There could be at least one outgoing with Ryley Towler expected to head out on loan but Pearson will be happy to keep his core group together that stretched their unbeaten run to seven games last night with a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield.
City's Championship rivals are keeping busy, however, and there's been a fair share of rumours and done deals doing the rounds with managers having seven games to cast an eye on their squads and where on the pitch they need to strengthen.
Here's the latest rumours from around the league as the clock ticks on the 11pm deadline...
Sunderland want to turn on the Style
Black Cats' new manager Tony Mowbray is looking to add to his side with the arrival of Barnsley's Callum Styles, according to The Mirror's John Cross. Mowbray got off to the perfect start at his new club on Wednesday night as his team beat Rotherham 3-0 to move up to eighth in the Championship.
It's claimed they could face stiff competition for his signature with Stoke, Hull and Millwall among the clubs interested. Styles has been a key figure for Barnsley in League One so far with six league appearances and would add competition in centre midfield and at left wing-back.
There's also talk in the Sunderland Echo that goalkeeper Vito Mannone could return to the club while another central defender remains on Mowbray's transfer wishlist.
Fulham hoping to help out City
One for City fans to keep an eye on over the next few hours as Pearson's side travel to Blackburn over the weekend. The Athletic write how the Premier League side have seen a second bid rejected for Ben Brereton-Diaz on deadline day with Rovers standing firm.
Fulham manager Marco Silva wants a new frontman to support Aleksandar Mitrovic but it remains to be seen whether the Cottagers will give up the chase or make one final last-gasp approach. The Chilean scored 22 goals in the Championship last season and scored the winner against Blackpool on Wednesday night.
A report in Give Me Sport also claim Everton remain interested with Frank Lampard looking towards a forward following Dominic Calvert-Lewins' recent injury.
Blade Runner?
Sheffield United could lose former record signing Sander Berge to Club Brugge - and are targeting a replacement if the deal goes through.
The Sheffield Star write how the Belgium side are not giving up on their pursuit of Berge but will need to stump up a healthy amount of cash if they have any hopes of signing him. Sheffield United signed him for around £22million in January 2020.
United's midfield is already lightweight but Fabrizio Romano says they are closing in on a move for CF Montreal midfielder Ismael Kone as a potential replacement. The Canadian will cost them an initial £4.5m fee with the potential to rise to £5m. Sheffield United are top of the Championship after their first seven games.
Swansea standing firm
Burnley are looking toward signing Swansea's tricky forward Michael Obafemi today but have seen two bids rejected, according to Wales Online.
They write how Vincent Kompany's side have put together an £8million package plus add-ons but the Welsh side aren't willing to entertain any others under £10m.
Lancashire Live claim Burnley are willing to walk away from a deal while Swansea manager Russell Martin will want to find a replacement if they do decide to cash in. Burnley have already signed midfielder Halil Dervisoglu on a season-long loan from Brentford earlier today.
Former City midfielder Josh Brownhill was also linked with a late exit to the Premier League with Wolves, Southampton and Leicester keen but Burnley are in no way interested in selling. Kompany said yesterday regarding the links: "I said it would have to be an offer where everyone at the club is giving high fives to each other and we can afford a trip for the entire staff and can afford a week's holiday."
City would have profited a tidy fee if he did leave, having included a 20 per cent sell-on clause for any profit on the £9million they sold him for back in January 2020.
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