Bristol City striker ‘expected to move’ as League One clubs eye transfer - Derby suggested

Bristol City striker Chris Martin is reportedly of interest to a host of clubs in League One who are eyeing a transfer in the last ten days of the transfer window.

The 34-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Nigel Pearson with academy graduate Sam Bell being preferred ahead of him at this time. Nahki Wellls and Antoine Semenyo are City's preferred strike partnership meanwhile Bell is back-up, and there is Andi Weimann and Tommy Conway to return.

Despite being allowed to name nine substitutes in their FA Cup match and being without both Conway and Weimann, Martin was not included in the Robins' squad for their midweek victory over Swansea City. Martin has not featured in a squad in over a month and had just an eight-minute cameo against Stoke City in mid-December in his last match.

Martin has played 19 times this season and his only goal came in the 3-2 defeat to Sunderland in August, he has mainly been a substitute and has entered from the bench 14 times this year, whilst failing to come on in six matches. His lack of minutes could open the door for a potential departure which could free up funds for a new signing.

Sunday Mirror journalist Darren Witcoop posted on Twitter: "Bristol City striker Chris Martin has been the subject of interest from League One clubs and is expected to move before the transfer window closes. #BristolCity." He further added that a return to Derby had been mentioned but that he was similar to the Rams' current striker James Collins.

A move away from Ashton Gate could be a possibility, but the preference from Pearson was to not leave themselves short, which could translate to letting him leave once their injured players are back. He’s a player that knows exactly where he stands as do a number of players," said Pearson when asked about his future last week. "What is also important is we don’t cut our nose off to spite our face.

"We have to remain competitive during the rest of the season with injuries being as they are, you’ll see from selection the direction we are going in. We’ve had enquiries about players but it just remains that, there has been tentative enquiries but not a lot going on really.

"I think it indicates where football feels it is at this level. Championship clubs are facing similar scenarios and coming to terms with the financial aspects of life post-COVID. It is understandable clubs aren’t doing business quickly."

Martin signed a contract extension last March after playing a certain number of games activated a clause in his contract and allowed him a further year at the club. The former Norwich City striker scored 12 goals in 46 matches last season and formed a strong partnership with Semenyo, but has fallen out-of-favour.