Bristol City exit leaves former Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesbrough star in club limbo

One of Bristol City’s transfer sagas received an almost definitive answer last week.

No, it’s not anything to do with Alex Scott, but instead club record signing Tomas Kalas. The 30-year-old was offered a new deal by the Robins in May, but things went quiet, and he wasn’t seen in pre-season.

The finer details of the contract offer weren’t released but his wage was expected to be considerably lower than what he was on before. The Czech Republic international was said to be a high earner and in line with the clubs plans to reduce the wage bill, they offered a deal on reduced terms to Kalas.

When asked about Kalas potentially returning, Nigel Pearson said: “I’ve not spoken to Tomas for weeks and I think that is something that is probably over now.

"I’m not going to say definitely not because it’s not something that has been discussed at all.

“We’re not going to shift on the financial aspects of where we were on him and that was the reason it didn’t go ahead. I think the probabilities are very very low.”

City’s stance is clear, and if things do suddenly change then he has a task of breaking into the team. Rob Dickie and Zak Vyner are the preferred partnership meanwhile Jamie Knight-Lebel and Raphael Araoye all could benefit from Kalas’ absence. Several of City’s defenders can move into centre-back, and there is still Rob Atkinson to return, so in that sense the team have moved on from Kalas.

As for what’s next for the former Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesbrough defender remains to be seen. He was in attendance at City’s season opener against Preston, and is still based near Bristol, but will now have to mull over his next steps. Kalas was at the game, as was Alex Scott, who has also been tipped to leave.

He’s had no transfer links to other clubs, and so where he ends up next will be interesting. The door isn’t firmly shut on him returning and an injury crisis at centre-back could see him return, but that will be on City’s terms rather than his, as they’ve made their position be known to him.