What Lee Johnson has suggested Bristol City fans can expect in the final days of the transfer window Business not done for Championship side So what should we expect from Bristol City with just three days of the 2017/18 summer transfer window remaining? Well the Aden Flint saga could go down to the wire! And Robins manager Lee Johnson did nothing to alleviate that fear on Friday night after his side drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at Ashton Gate . Johnson said he is still unclear if centre back Flint, who did not feature against Villa, but did play and star in the club’s 3-2 win over Premier League Watford in the Carabao Cup , will still be one of his players come September 1. "I haven’t got a clue,” he said. “I honestly don’t know, I don’t think anything has changed and it will be a crazy week, I am sure.” By nothing changing Johnson means if the price is right Flint could be on the move, but for the moment his keenest suitors Birmingham City appear to be refusing to meet Bristol City’s asking price. Bristol City have completed most of their transfer business for the 2017-18 season. So far coming into the club have been: centre back Nathan Baker (Aston Villa, undisclosed fee), striker Famara Diedhiou (Angers, club record £5.3m), winger Niclas Eliasson (Norrkoping, £1.8m), defender Eros Pisano (Verona, free) and winger Jonathan Leko (West Bromwich Albion, season long loan). England U19s attacking midfielder Leko was announced by the club on Monday morning and there is hope that he might be the next Tammy Abraham, who scored 26 goals on loan from Chelsea last season. The one area of real uncertainty for the club is back up goalkeeper. City have three excellent young keepers in Max O'Leary, Jojo Wollacott and Ivan Lucic but have been connected with several stoppers at Johnson and his scouting team search for a reliable back-up to Frank Fielding who appears to have the number one jersey nailed on this season. Iceland international Ogmundur Kristinsson remains an option but a decision has not been made yet and will be worth watching out for in the coming days. Leaving the club this summer have been: Mark Little (Bolton Wanderers, free), Lee Tomlin, (Cardiff City, undisclosed) and Aaron Wilbraham, (Bolton Wanderers, undisclosed). However there may be more out-goings in the form of loans for young players needing some game time according to Johnson. He said last week: “I think the outs will tend to be more young loans. Players that could do with league football and again we'll have to judge that and get it right. Because it might be right for them but it might not be right for us. But if it is it'll be great for them to play men's football." http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-lee-johnson-suggested-bristol-391727
Norwich in for Flint now, it looks as though he will go. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/norwich-city-could-make-late-391862
I see what you did with the title of this thread Wiz - very cute. I'm personally pretty happy with how the club has handled the Flint situation, with the exception of SL coming out with a figure of £10m a while back, as it's clearly absurd, and could be used against him if/when he leaves for less than half that. We've already signed a capable replacement in Baker and have strong cover at centre back generally, so wouldn't be caught short if he goes, but we're also clearly standing strong on receiving an acceptable fee, as he still has a decent amount of time left on his contract. If he ends up staying then it becomes more difficult to keep everyone happy, but it could be argued that'd come under the 'nice problem to have' scenario. Out of interest Wiz, what would you deem to be the ideal outcome of this saga? Personally, I've wavered over what I would consider a good price for him, but at this moment in time, I'd be disappointed if we got less than £3.5m for him, but ideally £4m+. If he ends up staying, then that's ok, as he's a valuable option to have, but I'd be concerned with who suffered the most in terms of playing time - presumably either Flint himself, or possibly more likely Magnusson, who I think is potentially better. I also think Hegeler deserves a bit more game-time, though possibly as a defensive midfielder...
I am a big fan of Flint and I wish him personally all the best, I think Mr Lansdown was very canny when he laid out his price, you can always lower a price but rarely raise one, I'm one of the majority that think the more the club benefits the better. Market conditions at the moment are high and good defenders are few and far between, I agree with you £3m poor, £4m probable and £5m+ good, I would have no problem with Flint staying but if he goes the price must be right and all parties happy, then let him move on, Magnusson is one we should nourish for the future, I can't make up my mind about Hegler, I think he is more suited to a midfield role but his stamina is suspect. With regards the title I was having a bit of fun but it could have been worse, " I don’t think anything has changed and it will be a crazy week, I am sure.” say's LJ.
Well said Wiz. If a player has had their head turned by interest from another club, it's usually best to let them move on if the price is right.
Again true, but at least it seems as though both Flint and the club have acted appropriately. I wonder if things will remain quite so cordial if this drags to deadline day though!
I'm actually at the point of wanting Flint to leave now. With the arrival of Baker, I actually think having Flint in the team as well as missing out on potentially ~£4m could inhibit us. His presence will certainly be a blocker to one or two of the excellent defensive youngsters we have coming through, and having Mags as number 4 centre back is both harsh on him and will punish us if he fails to fulfil his potential.
Mags can play left-back too, which I hope is another outlet for him. Scott Golbourne's fast becoming the forgotten man - I seem to remember Charlton being linked with him and I can't help but think that it would be for the best to move on. Not that I mind having him as cover, but he'd be 3rd in the pecking order for me.
Yep agreed. Though with that approach, we'd have potentially 4 players in contention for the left back spot, 3 of whom deserve game time (Bryan/Magnusson/Kelly). The squad size is becoming a real concern of mine because we have so much talent but can't possibly play enough of them, even with a couple on loan. Same goes for the CB spots.
I understand your thinking, but think LB is OK - Kelly's still young so can be eased in without expecting many 1st team starts. CB would be particularly crowded if Flint stayed; even without, there are plenty of candidates. It's a long season though and injuries/suspensions/international call ups will bite at some point, so having that depth could be a real blessing - we got burnt at right back last year by betting on the fitness of Matthews.
Flint is our best CH by far alongside Baker, Wright isn't the worst but a penalty is waiting to happen. 'The squad size is becoming a real concern' Not for Gary Johnson.
The squad size itself isn't a concern, it's the amount of players who deserve game time. Mags and Moore in particular for me are players who could really kick on long-term, and there's no room for them.
Yes, I'm a bit surprised that Moore hasn't already moved on another loan - even if he can also play at right back, Vyner's dedicated to that position and would appear to be ahead of him, based on the League Cup games. Can definitely see that happening before transfer deadline day.
