Bristol City ‘in talks’ to allow summer transfer signing to leave after just six months

Valenciennes have reportedly held discussions with Bristol City about loaning goalkeeper Stefan Bajic. Bajic joined the club on a free transfer in the summer but has yet to make a breakthrough.

French journalist Marc Mechenoua, who writes for Goal, says that the Ligue 2 club are speaking to the Robins about a potential loan move. Jeremie Janot, Valenciennes’ goalkeeping coach worked with Bajic at his previous club Saint-Etienne.

Bajic had the chance to join Valenciennes in the summer but opted for a move to Ashton Gate. The 21-year-old moved to Bristol as he believed City would be the best move for his development of his career.

In an interview he conducted last July, he said: “Going to England is a risk but I favored Bristol because I told myself that it was there that I was going to progress the most in the long term. They will help me to cross levels, I am convinced of it.”

The France Under-21 international has a three-year contract at City, and his arrival was seen as a signing with a long-term thought process in mind. Bajic out of the keepers contracted at the club has the most secure contract and any departure from the West Country, would only be on a temporary basis.

The French shot-stopper has made one senior appearance since his move from Pau last summer. He featured in the 3-1 defeat to Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup, after recovering from an injury.

Bajic has not made any other match-day squad with club captain Dan Bentley preferred ahead of him. Bentley has been linked with a move away with both Stoke City and Wolves potential destinations.

Nigel Pearson last week did not deny speculation about Bentley’s future but did state that they did not want to be hamstrung by leaving themselves short in a position. With both Bajic and Bentley now linked with a move away, it will either be one or the other to depart, as the club could not afford to lose both.

Max O’Leary, out of contract in the summer, is currently the first-choice goalkeeper at the club. O’Leary has been in the team since October after Bentley was dropped following a 3-0 defeat to Birmingham City.