Cardiff City have held talks with Bristol City playmaker Kasey Palmer over a move to south Wales but there are fears that the deal could collapse, which will likely impact the Robins transfer activity this summer.
Bristol Live understands discussions between Palmer and the Bluebirds took place last weekend, and there was confidence from all three parties involved that a permanent deal would be struck this week, ending the 25-year-old’s three-spell at Ashton Gate, but negotiations are now at an impasse.
At present, Cardiff are believed to be the only Championship club currently willing to offer Palmer a way out of Bristol and with that route potentially closed, he will be expected to report for pre-season testing next month and then see out the final year of his contract.
QPR and Birmingham City have been monitoring the situation but managerial uncertainty at both clubs - the former is yet to appoint a replacement for Mark Warburton and Lee Bowyer’s position at St Andrew’s is far from secure - has complicated the situation.
Cardiff have been the most active Championship club in the early days of the market, securing four permanent signings - Ebou Adams, Jan Alnwick, Ollie Tanner and Jamilu Collins - before the window has officially opened.
Manager Steve Morrison has launched a full squad overhaul, with double figures signings expected over the next three months, and Palmer was set to be among their recruits with the Bluebirds having made a loan enquiry in January. But that was never a possibility due to both the player and City’s reluctance to allow him to leave on a permanent basis, something that was more likely to execute this summer.
Although City remain confident that a deal can be struck, that optimism is not presently shared in Cardiff and the potential collapse of this latest attempt to sell Palmer could have far-reaching consequences for the Robins strategy in this window, given the savings that would be made in moving the midfielder on.
With teams across the Championship looking to significantly reduce their wage ceilings, getting the final year of Palmer’s salary off the books would make a saving in the region of £1.2million or create space for two signings.
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol last week, Pearson highlighted the need to achieve greater wage parity throughout the squad, which can only be achieved by either moving high-earners on or by renegotiating their contracts.
Given Palmer only played 204 first-team minutes in the Championship last season, and wasn’t involved in a match after October 19, the latter seems highly unlikely which leaves the 25-year-old, and to some extent City, in a state of limbo, at least for the next 12 months, unless a new buyer can be found.
Pearson had previously stated he had held meetings with four players informing them their future lay elsewhere with Palmer believed to be one of those individuals.
He remains a deeply talented player but after praising his character and willingness to adapt his game in the early stages of last season, Pearson's selections since the autumn have made it abundantly clear Palmer's profile and playing style doesn't fit his approach, coupled with a weekly wage that is impacting his ability to reshape the squad how he wants.
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
