Bristol City's recruitment strategy has taken a welcome and necessary turn since Nigel Pearson's appointment due to a combination of manager preference and financial restrictions.
The club have worked hard to reduce the wage bill following that spending spree in the summer of 2019, albeit there is still progress to be made in achieving greater equality across the first-team squad.
January was a productive window that has further allowed Pearson to build a side that is more suited to his style of play, adding a maverick to his side in Anis Mehmeti while the energetic and versatile Harry Cornick also arrived from Luton to bolster City's attacking options.
The summer will provide another opportunity to fine-tune the squad and Head of Recruitment Brian Tinnion has already laid down the blueprint for their plans. Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol at the end of last month, he confirmed City will target three or four players, who deserve the chance to play Championship football.
"They'll all be on the up, they'll all be young, they'll all be athletic and be able to run because that's what our team is going to be based on now," Tinnion said. "There's some really good players in League One that just need an opportunity.
"What we're looking for are players who have maybe played 200 games and who have the experience but just haven't had the opportunity to play in the Championship so we're very clear on what we want."
Playing 200 games isn't a hard and fast rule but there's obviously a desire to sign players who have Football League experience under their belt and can make an immediate impact in the first-team.
With money to spend following the January sale of Antoine Semenyo to Bournemouth in the region of £10.5million, with Alex Scott also likely to depart for a fee that could top £25m, City will have the financial muscle to move quickly with their targets.
Here we take a look at six players who tap into the type of talent City are looking for...
Louie Sibley (Derby) - centre midfield
The 21-year-old midfielder has featured 43 times for the Rams this season, taking his career total to over 100, and is likely to leave the club should they fail to achieve promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking. Derby are currently sixth in an intense battle for the play-offs but too far adrift to put pressure on the top two.
With just over 12 months left on his contract, Derby will also have to sell this summer to avoid losing him for free should he fail to agree on an extension. Sibley has come through the ranks at the East Midlands side and having joined as an Under-8, may feel it's time to make the step up in his promising career.
City will certainly target at least one midfielder, likely to be two if Scott leaves and the recent injuries to Kal Naismith and Joe Williams highlight how short Pearson is in that area of the pitch. Sibley is versatile across the pitch but is more adept at playing in the No10 role although has also featured at left-back this season. He's quick and works hard both on and off the ball but City may have competition for his signature, with Millwall having offers turned down last summer and Coventry also linked.
Cameron Brannagan (Oxford) - centre midfield
Another talented midfielder who will have no shortage of suitors at the end of the season. Brannagan has been a shining light in a disappointing season for Oxford who currently sit 18th in League One.
Formerly of the Liverpool academy, he has previously been linked with moves to Queens Park Rangers, Blackpool and Sheffield United in the Championship. He looked likely to join the Tangerines last summer but opted to sign a new deal with Oxford that tied him down to a new three-year deal.
Therefore the 26-year-old going to cost a notable fee if City are to prize him away, something they will have the luxury to do in the summer. Brannagan plays as a No8 and likes to get forward having scored eight goals this season. With around 140 League One appearances to his name, he fits into the category of an experienced League One player who hasn't had his opportunity in the Championship.
It's also worth noting City's links with Oxford having signed Mark Sykes last summer and Rob Atkinson prior to that.
Mads Andersen (Barnsley) - centre-back
Signing a central defender will be at the top of the priority list. It's an area of the squad that hasn't been addressed over the last two windows, although not through the want of trying. A loan deal to sign Crystal Palace youngster Jake O'Brien fell through in January with the Premier League side demanding a fee the Robins weren't prepared to pay.
With Tomas Kalas injured and out of contract in the summer and Rob Atkinson facing a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury, City are short of options at the back emphasised by left-back Cam Pring filling that position on Tuesday night against Huddersfield.
Andersen, 25, joined Barnsley from Danish side Horsens in the summer of 2019 and has been an integral figure at the back wearing the captain's armband. He recently had his contract extended by an extra year until the summer of 2024 which means the League One club are likely to sell this summer if they fail to achieve promotion.
A classy player, who's comfortable on the ball, Andersen also stays injury-free. He's played every minute of this campaign and also has three seasons of Championship experience following their relegation last season.
Finn Azaz (Plymouth, on loan from Aston Villa) - attacking midfield
The 22-year-old has starred in Plymouth Argyle's campaign as they close on an automatic promotion spot to the Championship following his loan move from Aston Villa. Seven goals and nine assists from 24 league appearances is a brilliant return and his form will certainly be noted by clubs across the Championship.
Moving to the second tier would obviously be the next step up in his promising career, having previously spent time with Newport and Cheltenham, and Villa will more than likely sanction a loan move if he doesn't leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. Despite contract talks in December, he failed to agree terms and therefore his deal expires at the end of June.
On paper, he would fill the void left by Scott if he departs to the Premier League with the ability to get forward and contribute to the attack although there's likely to be a series of clubs interested.
Jason Knight (Derby) - midfielder
The 22-year-old midfielder is arguably too good to be playing in League One and with his deal expiring in the summer, he looks almost certain to leave especially if Derby fails to achieve promotion. He has been one of their most consistent performers after breaking through the ranks in the 2019/20 campaign.
Versatile in the middle, he has been deployed as a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder, and as a right-back this season. Pearson wants players who can feature across different roles and therefore Knight is likely to be one of the names on the shortlist.
He's also earned experience on the international stage, making 17 caps for the Republic of Ireland while also playing over 150 times for Derby in his young and promising career. Again, he's a player who will attract plenty of suitors, especially if he's available on a free transfer.
Jack Currie (AFC Wimbledon) - left-back
Yes, we know he's playing in League Two but he's a target that City failed to sign in January due to AFC Wimbledon's asking price. The Robins walked away from the move after three offers but are likely to return in the summer. A new left-back could be a necessity, especially with Jay Dasilva looking increasingly likely to leave as he approaches the end of his contract at the end of the season.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed an impressive campaign for the League Two side, making 29 league appearances and Bristol Live understands he was left bitterly disappointed to be denied a switch to BS3 on deadline day.
Cam Pring has made that position his own but Currie would arrive with bags of potential and on a favourable salary, one that would be a fraction of Dasilva's current deal with City.
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