Bristol City striker transfer story takes fresh turn after intriguing training video emerges

One potential Bristol City deadline day deal may be rather less likely than had appeared to be the case – judging by a Robins players’ appearance in a video taken from today’s training session.

In a video posted to the club’s social media accounts, striker Sinclair Armstrong can be seen at training among the players gathering to welcome new loan signing Neto Borges to the team, and Armstrong’s presence with just hours left before the transfer window closes suggests that rumours of his impending departure may have been overblown.

Sinclair Armstrong may stay at Bristol City despite loan links

Bristol City striker Armstrong has been strongly linked with a move away from Ashton Gate after a debut season in which the 22-year-old Irishman managed just three goals in 38 matches.

Armstrong was signed from fellow Championship side Queens Park Rangers on a four-year deal last summer but was linked with a loan move away, with Preston North End among the teams said to be interested in taking Armstrong for the rest of the season.

Typically, players who are expected to make a transfer move won’t be seen in training on deadline day, but Armstrong was present as Neto Borges was introduced to his new team-mates by head coach Gerhard Struber on Monday.

Middlesbrough defender Borges arrived on a season-long loan deal late on Sunday evening and could be the final piece of transfer business the Robins do before the window closes at 7pm on Monday.

Search for a striker goes on but Zak Vyner set to stay

As well as the defender that they found in Borges, Bristol City had hoped to sign a new striker – but with a loan deal for Luton Town’s Jacob Brown reportedly collapsing on Sunday, the Robins are running out of time to get a deal done.

Armstrong’s presence in training may also point to the expectation that he will stay in order to ensure that Struber has enough attacking depth as he looks to build upon a strong start to his tenure.

One of Armstrong’s team-mates, midfielder Sam Bell, may yet leave on loan with a temporary switch to Wycombe Wanderers reportedly close, while youngster Adam Murphy has joined Swindon Town until the end of the campaign with a recall option included in his contract.

One player who doesn’t seem likely to leave is centre-half Zak Vyner. The 28-year-old had been a transfer target for Wrexham and Birmingham City but Bristol City have rebuffed their advances and told any suitors that he is not for sale at any price despite having just one year left on his current contract. Struber had described Vyner as “super important” and expressed his hope that he would stay after the 4-2 win over Hull City at the weekend.

As it stands, it’s starting to look as though there may not be much more transfer activity to complete at Ashton Gate, and Struber’s squad may have a familiar look when they return to action after the international break. Their next fixture is against struggling Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsbrough on 13 September.