With the May 21 deadline now having passed, the free agent landscape in the Championship is a little clearer as all the EFL's 72 clubs had to have submitted their retained lists, detailing who's staying, who's going and who they're trying to keep.
Given the lack of financial resources across the second tier, the value that be found in pursuing players who are set to be out of contract makes it a hugely competitive marketplace but one that Bristol City will undoubtedly be active in as Nigel Pearson looks to strengthen his squad.
Defensive midfield is one area that is believed to be of importance, even before the consideration that Andy King could return as a player/coach and that Han-Noah Massengo is likely to be sold, unless he agrees to a new contract beyond next summer.
Reading midfielder Andy Rinomhota is one name that Bristol Live understands is on the club's shortlist as his deal expires in Berkshire. The Royals have made the 25-year-old a new proposal but he is exploring his options and could well leave the club after seven years.
To find out what sort of player Rinomhota is and his situation at Reading, we spoke to is Marc Mayo, Sport Content Editor of the Evening Standard and host of The Tilehurst End podcast.
What type of player is Andy Rinomhota and what kind of player can Bristol City expect if they sign him?
Fundamentally he's a box to box midfielder who has a great engine and a great motor. Technically he's pretty decent, he can play the ball and pick a pass, and he scored a couple of really good goals over the years.
Reading bring up their players these days with a good sense of on the ball and his engine means he can do it in both boxes. He's certainly made a mark on Reading and has been popular with the fans as someone who can give their all in every game.
It's about for him whether he can make the step up to be more of a Championship player because he's not ready for the Premier League at the moment. I guess he's got potential, certainly for a really good Championship midfielder who can do it in both boxes he's one of the best around for summer for sure.
You say he's a box-to-box, Bristol City need a player who can sit in front of the back four in a disciplined defensive midfield role, can he do that?
He can, I suppose one of the frustrations that Reading fans have had over the years is we've wanted to see him unleashed as to someone who can get in the opposition box and a couple of times he's been put in advanced roles and it's not really suited him.
As someone who can sit in front of the defence and carry the ball out and spark things, he's really good at that. In terms of his ability in terms of getting into tackles is good, but I wouldn't see he's someone who I think of who makes loads of crunching tackles and all that sort of stuff.
But he's definitely got the ability to marshal the backline and if the manager is good and gets them well organised he can definitely respond to that.
What are his strengths?
I'd say his energy, definitely. He's someone who can run for 90 minutes, he's a fit guy. He can do the usual Tuesday and Saturday Championship grind without any issues. He doesn't need much motivation, he'll get stuck in.
His weaknesses?
He's struggled with fitness and injuries this year. We've not really had of him previously. He's one of those players who the manager has maybe said he'll be back soon or a couple of weeks and then that seems to extend towards a month.
There's definitely questions over his injury record at the moment and perhaps when it comes to his attacking sense as well. If he's going to become a Premier League player he needs to be better at scoring goals, I think that depends on what his manager asks of him.
What's the deal with his contract situation? I'm sure Reading would want to keep him but finances have played a part...
Yea I think so, Reading have just not been able to offer the players they want the contracts that they've wanted due to Covid and our financial restrictions. We've just not been able to do that.
How would the supporters react to his departure?
If he goes, that will be one the Reading fans will take quite badly because players like John Swift who probably is more ready for the Premier League of a promotion-chasing team, we are expecting to leave.
But someone like Rinomhota, who came through the academy and with all due respect, going to Bristol City would be a sideways move so that would be a sign that both Reading are incapable of keeping these players and also that the player doesn't want to be at Reading to go to a club that isn't too far up the table.
Would you have expected him to move to a club higher up the league then?
I guess it's difficult because for someone like Norwich to take a punt on him, he wouldn't be an automatic starter so I would be surprised if he went to a promotion-chasing team. Obviously, there's more money out there than there is at Reading these days but yea, he won't be a first-team regular at one of the top clubs.
If he leaves then I guess the question is whether he really wants to uproot his family and the money he's going to be offered. At Reading, he can continue to be a Championship regular in an okay or decent team so hopefully, that's the sort of thing that will convince him to stay from our point of view.
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