Bristol City target set to sign new contract in next 24-48 hours which puts to end rumoured pursuit

Middlesbrough have reportedly agreed a new deal with defender Neil Taylor which will keep him at the club until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old has so far made two appearances for the Teeside club after joining in November after holding out for a club which met his ambitions.

Taylor, who was playing in the Premier League last season with Aston Villa, before joining Boro, wanted a club which were challenging for promotion rather than other offers who were just about survival.

His absence in the 3-2 win over Mansfield Town in the FA Cup did put into question whether he would be staying at the Teeside Stadium but talks seem to have progressed positively.

The news puts to bed rumours linking him with a move to Bristol City, which was reported earlier in the transfer window.

A report from FootyInsider says that a recruitment source close to Boro have ironed out the terms of a new deal meaning that City, as well as Coventry City and West Brom will all have to look elsewhere.

The news is expected to come in the next 24 to 48 hours and once confirmation is made, City will have to move on from their reported target, though if his new deal is only short-term then it is one that could resurface in the summer.

Given the news of Cameron Pring’s contract renewal last week though, a move for Taylor seemed unlikely.

Pring, who put in a man-of-the-match display in the defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup, had his stay at Ashton Gate extended by a further year.

The 23-year-old who can play as a left-sided centre-back, as well as a left-back and left-midfielder, would have been in competition for Taylor’s role had he come.

City usually play with three centre-backs as well as a wing-back which at times has been Jay Dasilva or Callum O’Dowda.

Dasilva made a return to first-team action after three months without an appearance after being an unused substitute.

O’Dowda meanwhile has enjoyed a run in the side in the role but his contract expires at the end of the season, meaning City’s own contract talks will need to take place.

Whilst a rumour has been put to bed on a potential incoming transfer, one thing that won’t go away are links of a possible departure for Kasey Palmer.

Speaking before the match against Fulham, manager Nigel Pearson commented on Palmer’s status in the squad amidst links to other Championship clubs.

“The only business we’ll do, we’ll do if it suits us and if it’s affordable and we can do it.

“I don’t envisage us doing business that helps other teams, I’m not bothered about that.”

Palmer, contracted until 2023, appeared as a substitute in the loss to Fulham having not played since October.

He has attracted the interest of Huddersfield Town, Queens Park Rangers and Reading but it is believed that Birmingham City are the most viable option.

Birmingham are willing to offer a player - rumoured to be centre-back Harlee Dean - in a potential deal for Palmer which would booster City’s options in defence.