Bristol City identify Wimbledon and Crystal Palace defenders in double transfer swoop

Bristol City are reportedly considering moves for AFC Wimbledon defender Jack Currie and Crystal Palace’s Jake O’Brien ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The Robins have money to spend after Antoine Semenyo's £9.5m sale to Bournemouth was finalised, and they have been linked with several players since his departure. Luton Town's Harry Cornick was the first, and whilst he is not an exact replacement, is a similar mould to Semenyo in that he can play as a winger and as a striker.

Chelsea's Xavier Simons, on a season-long loan at Hull City, was linked on Sunday night, but he is apparently a transfer target for the summer, with Burnley and Millwall also interested. Simons has played just eight minutes of Championship football, but Hull are considering a permanent move for him.

Two new names have emerged however over the course of Monday morning, with an otherwise quiet month, now looking like a potential manic ending. Bristol City are not expected to splash the Semenyo money immediately, but his sale will now allow Nigel Pearson to reinvest that money across the squad.

A report from Football Insider claims that the Robins have had two bids rejected for Wimbledon left-back Currie, and they have not been deterred by Wimbledon's initial stance, with a third offer set to be lodged. Currie is regarded as one of the best young talents in the English Football League and he is apparently a signing that City do not want to wait around for, with them keen to bring the left-back to Ashton Gate this month.

The 21-year-old has played 32 times this season, and has got one goal and an assist, with 11 clean sheets across all competitions. Currie signed a two-year contract with the Dons in April, with his deal set to expire at Plough Lane in the summer of 2024, which offers Wimbledon some negotiating space.

Bristol City and Wimbledon have already conducted two pieces of business this season, with Ryley Towler joining the South London club on a season-long loan, before it was terminated to allow for a move to Portsmouth. Wales Under-21's striker Sam Pearson was loaned to them earlier this month, and he has so far played one match.

Jack Currie is not the only defensive reinforcement that Bristol City have been linked with a move for, with Sun journalist Alan Nixon claiming that they are also interested in Jake O'Brien. O'Brien - linked with a move to Bristol Rovers last summer - is currently on a season-long loan with Belgian club RWD Molenbeek, but that could be broken into.

The 21-year-old is a centre-back and has played regularly in the Belgian second division, playing 19 times this season, scoring three goals and an assist, whilst registering four clean sheets. O'Brien is a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international and has been capped three times and his contract with the Eagles is up in the summer.