Tomas Kalas contract impasse means Bristol City may play waiting game over defender's future Bristol City are set to publish their retained list in the coming days please log in to view this image Tomas Kalas’ Bristol City future is unlikely to be resolved until later into the summer as the defender remains in negotiations with the club over a new contract but with no immediate conclusion in sight, Bristol Live understands. City have until Saturday to publish their retained list for the summer with Kalas and Jay Dasilva’s respective futures the main bones of contention among the five senior players who are set to become free agents. Kalas has been offered a new contract on significantly reduced terms from the one he signed in 2019, in-part due to his injury issues over the last two seasons which have limited him to just two starts since March 2022, but also because of the vastly different financial landscape that now exists in the Championship. When Kalas signed from Chelsea four years ago he was the club’s record signing, approaching his peak as a professional and salaries in the second tier were at a high level, to the point the Czech Republic international’s wage, while high for City, was simply just seen as competitive around the division. However, post-Covid 19 and with the collapse of the transfer market that sort of figure is now only reserved for those in receipt of parachute payments and the Robins have worked hard to bring their overall wage ceiling across the squad to a much more manageable and financially sustainable level. When Kalas’ lack of first-team involvement is factored in, it makes sense why City’s offer represents a major decrease for the 30-year-old, but ultimately Nigel Pearson would like to retain the centre-back for next season and beyond. Bristol Live understands that Kalas has tentative interest in Europe, albeit without any concrete offers, but there is increasing confidence within his camp that as free agency approaches he could test the waters on the open market where a more lucrative deal could become available. With the Czech having turned 30 this week he is acutely aware that this could be one of the last opportunities in his career he has to sign a long-term contract. That’s tempered, however, by the fact he’s well-settled in the West Country with his partner from Bristol and in an ideal situation he would like to remain in BS3. It looks increasingly likely that Kalas, and potentially Dasilva, could mimic the decision of his former centre-back colleague Nathan Baker who was effectively released in the summer of 2021, only to then re-sign five weeks later when it became clear he couldn’t get a better offer elsewhere, coupled with the continuity of being able to stay at City. Pearson alluded to such on BBC Radio Bristol on Monday when he said: “To a large extent they’re governed by finances. For Tomas, it’s really unfortunate for him because he’s been a regular performer for our club and he’s had two seasons of having to deal with injuries which have changed the complexion of how we, as a club, have to look at it because he’s one of our top earners. “The finances always come into play. I would very much like him to be with us next season, it’s just whether we can come to an agreement. “We’ll just see how that plays out. If you cast your mind back a couple of seasons ago to Nathan Baker, who was initially on the list of players to be released, we ended up re-signing him. But those type of things now, the climate within the game has changed somewhat so that everybody is being careful with the finances.” https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/tomas-kalas-bristol-city-contract-8448322
Yep, over to Kalas now, they aren’t going to announce it, but I’m sure they have given him a date to make up his mind. Then they’ll plan to replace him.
Retained list needed to be submitted to FA on 20th May. But needs to be listed to public by next weekend. In theory if we are in discussions with Kalas still you can bet your last pound that clubs have been informed via agents. So don’t know why we are waiting to let people know.
We have to plan NOW - same with anyone who won't sign (HNM is another) If we wait any longer then our options for a replacement will dry up. If we do manage to land a replacement before Kalas signs then we simply withdraw Kalas's offer (or drastically reduce it). If he signs before we've landed a replacement then we simply stop looking.
I'm relaxed about the Kalas situation. NP will deal with it, he's a better poker player than any on here.
I agree, we have 4-6 weeks yet before we need to worry whether he signs or not. I'm sure NP will have replacement options lined up to go and chase if he doesn't sign. Would want it all cleared up before pre-season training starts though
I genuinely wonder if Nige (or any of our previous managers) are actively involved in these contract negotiations. Wouldn’t the suits be doing it?
Nige has already stated he doesn't have much/any involvement in that side of things, hasn't he? We know Ashton ruled the roost on these negotiations in his time at the club. I think players are identified - by whom, I don't know, and the managers get a yes/no vote, then others conduct the negotiations. i think most clubs do this nowadays.
I’m sure that’s what they’re doing, it’ll take a while though so Kalas will know he’s only got so long. Baker left then came back, Kalas could do the same, I’d be surprised if he does. The longer it goes on the less likely it is he’ll stay.
Yes, he’ll tell them the areas he wants covered and the type of players he wants, they’ll identify several then Nige will have his say. I’d imagine much of that process has taken place, they’ll know who they want then they’ll be approached, or their clubs will.
My take on this Nige has the final say-he will let the guy who deals with the negotiations know what he has identified and wants and leave him deal with the financials- but nothing would come in without Niges approval.
