Bristol City 'in talks' to sign former Everton defender ahead of Reading and Wigan Athletic - report The Robins want to sign centre-back Ashley Williams following his release from Everton Lee Johnson's search for a new centre-back on the free agent market has arrived at Wales international Ashley Williams with reports claiming the Robins are in talks with the former Everton defender. Bristol City's centre-back stocks have been decimated by the summer sale of Adam Webster, inability to find a replacement for their player of the season and an injury to club captain Bailey Wright, ruling him out for up to 12 weeks. Johnson has just three fit and recognised centre-backs until January in Nathan Baker, Tomas Kalas and Taylor Moore, with the latter inexperienced and the former injury prone. Johnson admitted last week that the free agent market is his best source of finding reinforcements and The Sun's Phil Cadden - a journalist with excellent contacts in Wales - has reported that City have opened negotiations over a 12-month deal with Williams. Williams, who turns 35 this week, left Everton in the summer after a difficult three seasons at Goodison Park but has been seeking a new club in England in order to prolong his Wales career. He spent last season on loan at Stoke in the Championship, making 37 appearances but the Potters declined to make that move into a permanent transfer. The centre-back has turned down offers from Turkey, MLS and the Middle East to remain in England and stay on Ryan Giggs' radar as he looks to increase his haul of international caps beyond 86, with an eye on Euro 2020. In order to make the move to Ashton Gate, Williams will be accepting a wage which is a significant drop on the £70,000-a-week he was earning in the Premier League with Everton. Kalas is the Robins' highest earner on around £25,000-a-week and, for all their needs in defence, it seems unlikely City will make a player in the twilight of his career their best-paid player. City also have competition from Reading and Wigan to sign the former Swansea captain but the likelihood that they will be competing for promotion this season will surely enhance their pitch to the veteran. Williams may not be the quickest of defenders but adds considerable experience to a much-changed team, plus physicality and will prove a big asset in the dressing room. If the deal for Williams falls through, his international colleague James Collins is another option for City with the 35-year-old present at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium during the Carabao Cup defeat to QPR in London last week. City also considered bringing Collins to Ashton Gate last summer but instead opted to bring in Kalas on loan from Chelsea. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/bristol-city-in-talks-sign-3223732
I imagine the reasoning is there is no fee , so wages can be higher, I’m not sure personally but we are light there and our options are limited.
Good reasoning, I had completely forgotten the no fee factor, that puts a whole new angle on it for this silly old git, nice one Ashton.
Is he too much of a big time Charlie for us - at 35 his best days are well behind him - hence no other club willl pay the wages his inflated ego thinks he’s worth. I hope we don’t pay the money being quoted here. He’s clearly only motivated by money! A bit like the Wilfred Bony post I put up last week, these players need to get real, and clubs get tougher.
To be fair Supcon, we don’t have a (recent) history of panic buying or paying huge wages. However we need to balance our principles against the need for a left-back, which can only be filled by a free transfer. I’m not for or against this move but I wouldn’t see his age necessarily as a barrier. If he’s good enough and affordable then why not?
Not for me, probably on my own (again), but always thought he was vastly overrated. Even Aizlewood played for Wales. Just joking. Williams is an upmarket Bailey Wright but a lot older. Imo a backward step . I'd much prefer to go with Moore, I'm sure we'reap the benefit next season as I can't see past Leeds, Fulham and WBA this season. Sorry if I come across a bit defeatist but City are in a tough tough league and a stopgap like Williams is not what imo City should be signing.
Decent player - motivated in trying to get in Euro 2020 squad We are a bit short on experience. Agree with RP about stop-gap but with only 3 fit CB's we may well have to go for it
But the point is what happens if Moore (or Baker or Kalas) gets injured there isn't much cover especially if we continue to play 3 centre backs. Its a short term free signing, yes there are wages involved but it still seems like a no brainer considering the window has shut and we can only get an out of contract player in.
Fair point. Still wouldn't pay the reported £25k weekly salary. All Championship clubs have injury problems but none have signed barely half as many as LJ since his appointment. Dare I risk risk saying that after almost 4 years and 58 LJ signings you'd hope we'd have more cover than the bare bones. Anyway I'm off to Majorca. Did I hear 1For say 'good riddance'.
You do seem fixated by the number coming in but failing to mention the number going out. 54 by my count
Enjoy RP. I hope your holiday isn’t as eventful an mine was! You’ll probably find places showing the City games live over there.
Difficult one this , we need cover in case we have any more of injuries and frees are the only players we can bring in, that said I wouldn’t want Taylor Moore’s development held back,