Bristol City handed transfer boost as Championship rival given transfer ban

Bristol City have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Notts County striker Macaulay Langstaff. The Robins are said to be one of four Championship clubs interested in the in-form striker.

Langstaff is attracting the attention of clubs in the Football League following his form in the National League with the Magpies. The 25-year-old has 21 goals in 23 league matches this season and has followed up on his form at Gateshead in the last campaign.

Langsaff’s career has been spent in the non-league, playing for the likes of tenth-tier Billingham Sythonia, as well as Blyth Spartans.

At the end of November, Football Insider claimed that City, along with three Championship rivals, were keeping tabs on the forward. Preston North End, Swansea City, and Cardiff City were the other teams attributed with interest. He scored 32 goals and earned 14 assists in all competitions last season, helping Gateshead to the league title, winning the Player of the Year award, as well as being in the Team of the Season.

Preston boss Ryan Lowe already ruled out a move for the forward. He ‘categorically’ ruled him out from being on his radar, paving the way for other teams to make a move for him.

City’s chances have improved however after one of their competitors were handed a transfer ban. WalesOnline report that Cardiff have been placed under a transfer embargo and it will be in effect for the next three windows.

Club chairman Mehmet Dalman said: “It’s a technical embargo, there are lots of legal discussions going on and those will continue to take place.

"We are pretty confident of being able to negotiate our way through this. It’s irrelevant anyway until January 1, when the transfer window opens, and we are working hard to find an amicable resolution by then. We are working hard to resolve this in the interest of the club."

Cardiff were recently rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who dismissed their appeal over paying Nantes the first installment of the Emiliano Sala fee. They have since signalled their intention to sue insurance company Miller Insurances.