Bristol City are trapped in a slight state of transfer limbo at the moment: Nigel Pearson wants to do business but can’t until certain individuals are moved on to provide some space on the wage bill.
However, City have neither been able to sell, loan or swap anyone out of their squad, bar the modest sale of Ryley Towler last week, and that is why they’re stuck at present. A situation the manager certainly hopes will change and improve over the remaining two-and-a-half weeks of the transfer window.
There has been a gentle flow of business across the division, though, primarily through the loan market but clubs are continuing to try and strengthen, with nearly all operating within tight financial restrictions. Here are the latest transfer rumours from across the division…
Cantwell transfer claim
Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell favours a move to Rangers, Sky Sports report, with the midfielder set to leave Carrow Road to kick-start his career.
Cantwell is no longer a regular at the Canaries having started just nine Championship games this season and spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on an unremarkable loan spell at Bournemouth.
Ranger head coach Michael Beale wants to add some fresh faces to his squad this month and said on Friday the club are “not far off” bringing in reinforcements. Although no formal bid has been submitted for Cantwell, who has six months remaining on his contract, initial talks have reportedly been positive.
Poveda available for a price
Leeds United are open to selling winger Ian Poveda, who is currently on loan at Blackpool, report the Blackpool Gazette.
Poveda, who spent last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, have made six starts under Michael Appleton and appears to not have much of a long-term future at Elland Road, although still has 18 months on his contract.
Blackpool boss has very much played down the chances of his side completing a deal due to Poveda’s salary and likely value due to his contract status but it does raise the possibility of the 22-year-old catching the attention of another Championship side.
Vale back to the Bridge
Hull City are sending Chelsea forward Harvey Vale back to Stamford Bridge after the England Under-20 international has struggled to impress during his loan spell at the MKM Stadium.
Vale, a European Championship winner in the summer alongside Bristol City’s Alex Scott, has made just two starts for the Tigers and Hull Live report that he is not in head coach Liam Rosenior’s plans for the rest of the season. Nathan Baxter is also poised to return to west London, meaning they are in the market for a new goalkeeper, but Hull want to retain their third Chelsea loanee in midfielder Xavier Simons.
The Evening Standard report that Wigan Athletic and Huddersfield Town have been knocked back by Chelsea after declaring an interest in signing Vale until the end of the season and he will remain with the Blues Under-21 squad.
Bilic has competition
Watford manager Slaven Bilic has confirmed he would like to sign Manchester United winger Facunda Pellistri on loan but the Hornets have competition for the Uruguayan international in the form of Botafogo.
Pellistri is unlikely to earn consistent first-team minutes so looks set for a temporary move away from Old Trafford and reports of Watford’s interest emerged earlier this week, with Brazilian club Botafogo now added to the list of clubs who want to sign the 21-year-old, according to Globo Esporte
He is a player that I like but it's difficult to talk about players that are not our players," Bilic told the Watford Observer . "But we are looking to strengthen and he fits into the areas where we are looking to strengthen. Hopefully we are going to do something there."
Flint an option for Owls
Aden Flint is on Sheffield Wednesday’s shortlist to sign a new centre-back following the loan return of Mark McGuinness to Cardiff City.
McGuinness was a regular in the Wednesday defence, starting 15 games in League One but has been recalled to south Wales after Cardiff’s transfer embargo was lifted, leaving a hole in Darren Moore’s defence.
The Sheffield Star report that the Owls are considering moves for Flint, who looks set to leave Stoke City, the Bluebirds own Curtis Nelson and Burnley centre-back Luke McNally, should Vincent Kompany sanction a loan move for the summer signing.
Flint, who spent a brief spell on loan at Wednesday during the 2020/21 season, has not featured for Stoke since a 4-0 defeat in October.
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