The £10m worth of talent Bristol City could lose for nothing - including £3m defender and ex-QPR gem

Bristol City have built a strong squad in recent years capable of challenging at the top end of the Championship table, which led to the Robins finally reaching the play-offs last campaign.

After several well-documented years of floundering around mid-table in the second tier, Liam Manning inspired a sixth-placed finish in 2024/25 which meant a spot in the play-off semi-finals. While defeat at the hands of Sheffield United would be comprehensive, it indicated that the club was on the right path forward nevertheless.

New manager Gerhard Struber has begun in similarly confident fashion after replacing new Norwich City boss Manning in the summer, with the Robins sat at sixth in the table once again ahead of the September international break and with new signings such as Emil Riis impressing.

A problem may be on the horizon, though, as several first-team regulars are now in the final year of their contracts with some important negotiations to be done at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City first-team stars whose contracts run out in 2026

Anis Mehmeti: One of the most valuable players in the City squad, Mehmeti signed for a reported £1 million from Wycombe Wanderers on deadline day in January 2023. His value has likely multiplied exponentially since then, as the 24-year-old has become a key creative force in the Championship with 12 goals last season. The Robins must prioritise securing a new contract.

Zak Vyner: Another key player with his contract running down next summer, Vyner has been at the club since the age of seven and was the subject of bids from Championship rivals such as Derby County and Wrexham over the summer. Reports stated that Bristol City would not consider accepting bids of even £5m for the defender, reflecting his high value to the club.

Max O’Leary: Also an academy graduate, goalkeeper O’Leary went to school with Vyner and is another player the club will be keen to tie down to a new deal, with his contract running until June 30, 2026. Having been out after ankle surgery since July, that has likely slowed down talks.

Rob Dickie: The 29-year-old signed for around £1m from QPR in 2023, in what was a snip for a player in the last year of his contract at the time. The Robins will hope to avoid a similar situation if a new deal is not agreed and Dickie walks away for nothing next summer.

Ross McCrorie: Signed for a reported £3m from Aberdeen in 2023, versatile right-back and midfielder McCrorie was said to be the subject of a similarly-sized bid from Udinese this summer. The club insisted he stuck around, so a new contract is surely set to follow.

More Bristol City stars out of contract next summer

Mark Sykes: Republic of Ireland international Sykes signed on a free transfer from Oxford United in 2022 and has made 118 appearances for Bristol City. The 28-year-old said earlier this year he would be “delighted” to extend his stay further.

Harry Cornick: The former Luton Town forward joined for an undisclosed fee in 2023, the same day as Mehmeti. His time in Bristol has not gone quite as well, as Cornick has only scored four Championship goals for the club and made just three appearances last season.

Haydon Roberts: Joined on a free transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion two summers ago, on a three-year deal which is up next summer. The full-back has made 59 appearances for the club, scoring two goals.

Lewis Thomas: Goalkeeper Thomas joined on a free transfer from Forest Green Rovers in 2023 to serve as a back-up. The 27-year-old has yet to make a single first-team appearance.

Ephraim Yeboah: The 19-year-old academy product broke through in 2023 and has since been out on three loan spells, most recently at Dunfermline Athletic. The teenager will be hoping for a new deal as he aims to gain Championship experience this season.