Bournemouth are considering a move for Bristol City goalkeeper Dan Bentley this month, Bristol Live understands, with Scott Parker determined to add a goalkeeper before the end of the summer transfer window.
As first reported by talkSPORT, Bentley has been on Parker’s shortlist all summer as a possible strong No2 who would provide instant competition to first-choice Mark Travers, and with the start of the Premier League season approaching, time is increasingly of the essence.
The Cherries have taken Alex Smithies and Jonas Lossl on trial over the summer but neither appears to have suitably impressed Parker, who has been publicly open about his concerns around the strength and depth within his squad.
Bournemouth had loanee Freddie Woodman as deputy to Travers last season in the Championship but he has since signed for Preston North End on a permanent deal. Bentley is seen as a relatively low cost addition, whose character would also add something to the Cherries dressing room.
The 29-year-old is into the last year of his contract at Ashton Gate and is well settled in the Bristol area, with his two children having been born in the city, and has previously spoken of wanting to extend his agreement beyond 2023.
However, the goalkeeper - who has made 128 appearances for City - is also ambitious and has been open in his desire to play in the Premier League. That window is seemingly shrinking as he approaches his 30s, unless he can secure it as a Robins player.
Bournemouth therefore would offer a quick route into the top-flight, albeit with him having to dislodge Travers who was outstanding last season, and would offer a salary increase.
Tentative talks have been held with Bentley’s representatives over a new contract at City but the Robins remain committed to reducing their wage bill and there is a reluctance to offer improved terms for a player in his late 20s.
As important a player he is, with Bentley club captain after being handed the armband last summer, a significant Premier League transfer fee would be hard to turn down for City as they look to raise transfer revenue to aid meeting the EFL’s Profit & Sustainability rules for next year.
Bentley’s contract status means he’s not likely to attract a huge fee but it could be somewhere near the £2m City paid Brentford for him in 2019.
There is also the arrival of Stefan Bajic from Pau on a free transfer with the 20-year-old, in-part, tempted to the West Country from France over the opportunity to play first-team football.
The Frenchman has yet to feature for the Robins having arrived at the club in July still feeling the after-effects of wrist surgery but the 20-year-old is very much determined to become City’s No1 and not just in the future.
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