Bristol City’s players are due back for pre-season next week and the Robins could have a fourth new face in the squad with young French goalkeeper Stefan Bajic expected to join on a three-year contract.
Bajic, 20, has left Pau in Ligue 2, having come through the ranks at Saint-Etienne and multiple reports in France have stated he’s bound for Bristol, subject to a medical and international clearance.
Nigel Pearson has a number of areas of need that he still wants to strengthen over the course of the summer, particularly at centre-back and in defensive midfield with the Robins sure to conduct further business as the window develops.
With players returning from their holidays and ready for pre-season, and fixture release date less than a week away, activity is set to step up across the Championship and beyond. With that in mind, here are the latest rumours from across the second tier…
Cardiff have company
Cardiff City’s ambitious attempts to sign Gareth Bale on a free transfer have been further complicated by the emergence of Newcastle United and Roma as potential destinations for the Wales legend.
Cardiff have reportedly held initial talks with the 31-year-old representatives over a move to his hometown club in preparation for the World Cup in Qatar later this year but the Bluebirds are evidently not alone in trying to sign the forward.
Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are among the clubs that have been linked by multiple reports in England while Calciomercato, via Sport, report that Bale has been offered a move to Roma where he would be reunited with Jose Mourinho having played under the Portuguese at Spurs.
Lenihan bound for Boro
Blackburn Rovers centre-back Darragh Lenihan has bid farewell to the club ahead of an expected move to Championship rivals Middlesbrough.
Linehan confirmed on Friday afternoon that his 11th year at Ewood Park would be his last having been a cornerstone of the Rovers defence for a number of years but with his contract expiring he’s seeking a fresh challenge.
Gazette Live report that a move to Middlesbrough is “imminent” with Boro having fought off a number of Championship rivals to sign the 28-year-old with an announcement likely next week.
Jones happy by the River
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, are having to fend off Premier League interest in one of their own players with winger Isaiah Jones attracting interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
90min claim the 22-year-old Londoner, who has operated as winger or wing-back on both sides of the pitch for Boro, is being tracked by a host of top-flight clubs but Jones himself seems content with staying at the Riverside.
Speaking to Ur Fresh TV , Jones said: “It's always nice to hear praise, but when people say to me, 'you should be in the Premier League' and 'you should leave Middlesbrough', I'm like, 'No, I really enjoy it here'. I'm improving here every day. That's what I train hard for, to improve and work hard on my weaknesses. I don't really miss home when I'm up there either. I've got my own crib.”
Black Cats keen on Brady
Newly-promoted Sunderland are one of a number of clubs monitoring Robbie Brady’s situation at Bournemouth with the Republic of Ireland international soon to be out of contract.
Brady wasn’t a consistent first-team option for the Cherries last term but a useful squad member due to his versatility and Scott Parker still retains a 12-month option in his deal which he could trigger before June 30.
If the 30-year-old is to move on, however, TEAMtalk report that Sunderland and Middlesbrough are two of a host of Championship clubs who would like to sign him.
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