Bristol City closing in on deal for Premier League star Lee Tomlin from AFC Bournemouth BRISTOL City are closing in on a deal to sign top target Lee Tomlin from Premier League AFC Bournemouth. As reported in the Bristol Post earlier this week, the Championship club are engaged in talks with the 27-year-old midfielder and are attempting to put together a financial package that will be acceptable to the player and his representatives. Sources on the south coast insist Tomlin is surplus to requirements at Bournemouth and Cherries manager Eddie Howe is prepared to cash in on a player who has two years left on his Dean Court contract. Reported interest from relegated Newcastle United and Norwich City has failed to materialise and City have now emerged as front-runners to sign Tomlin. The former Middlesbrough and Peterborough man is currently holidaying in the Mexican resort of Cancun, but the Post understands a deal to bring him to Ashton Gate is close to being finalised. City head coach Lee Johnson and chief operating officer Mark Ashton have already secured deals for Josh Brownhill and Gary O'Neil from Preston North End and Norwich respectively. City fans are now clamouring for Tomlin to be unveiled as the club's third summer signing. Recruited on loan from Bournemouth in January, Tomlin had a profound impact on the team's fortunes during his three months in BS3, scoring six goals in 18 starts and helping the Robins move clear of trouble and retain their Championship status comfortably. Read more: How will Bristol City boss Lee Johnson use new signing Gary O'Neil in Championship next season? A firm favourite among City fans, Tomlin would be welcomed back to Ashton Gate with open arms. Certainly, recruiting a player of Tomlin's undoubted calibre would represent a massive coup for the new regime at City. Ashton yesterday confirmed the Robins are in talks with their former loan signing, while Johnson has made no secret of his desire to bring Tomlin to Bristol on a permanent basis. City owner Steve Lansdown is prepared to meet Bournemouth's asking price and the deal now dependent upon Tomlin agreeing personal terms. In an interview with the Bristol Post conducted in April, Tomlin insisted he would rather drop down to the Championship and play first team football on a regular basis than sit on the side-lines while drawing a big salary at a Premier League club. The hope among City fans is that the chance to play a starring role at a club where he is well regarded proves too good an opportunity for Tomlin to turn down. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Steve Lansdown is apparently prepared to agree to finance the purchase of a new 'Greggs' franchise to be located in the Ashton Gate structure as part of the deal to try and get him to sign...........
If he doesn't come, it wont be for a lack of the clubs effort this time. We seem to have made all the right noises, recognised we need to tie him down early. Perhaps we have learnt from previous mistakes, but we have to be realistic and realise we wont get everyone we want. A signing like O'Neil shows intent and players like that, if we could get Grabban as well, we would be very well set.
Perhaps we have now found the right places to look for future talent. I think the scenario would be somewhat different if he had been playing top quality football for a major club and would then consider Ashton gate as a step down, but seeing as he was at Bournemouth - why not us? Experienced and good players can always attract more of the right stuff.
