Bristol City transfer update as bids received amid Spurs, Wolves, Leeds Utd and Burnley interest

Bristol City have received offers for five of their players but the club does not need to sell this month, revealed departing CEO Richard Gould.

Gould, who has been CEO since May 2021, will leave for the England & Wales Cricket Board at the end of the month following the conclusion of the January transfer window. The Robins chief is being worked hard with interest in serval of City’s first-team players, though no team has yet reached their valuation.

In terms of departures, City have so far sold Ryley Towler to Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee, whilst Joe Low has been allowed to join Walsall for the remainder of the season. Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo have been at the forefront of transfer speculation, but they remain contracted to the club. Timm Klose meanwhile has been made available for transfer, holding discussions over his future. Club captain Dan Bentley’s future has been up in the air also with a move to both Stoke City and Wolves discussed.

“Yes we have had offers for four or five players at the moment,” revealed Gould in an interview with BBC Radio Bristol before the EFL Championship match with Birmingham City.

“None of them have met our requirements and expectations. We’re keen to try and retain the squad as we go into the second half of the season.

“We know often money talks but for the time being we’re focused on keeping the team and the squad together. Although we haven’t got the points total we would want there have been some promising performances and we’re intent to keep that momentum going.”

"There is always speculation out there. You can guess a couple of them. That is the level of interest that there has been. It’s funny when you’re on Twitter and you see some of the stuff that comes through and see what’s true and what’s not true.

"The truth is when you look at some of the players that have come through the academy that are developing really well here they are bound to attract attention. We’re proud of that."

Numerous media reports have put varying valuations on City’s two prized assets Scott and Semenyo. The Daily Telegraph say that Scott is rated at £25m, a considerable increase from the £12m previously reported. World Cup striker Semenyo, who is out of contract next summer after the club activated a release clause is ranked at £12m, according to the Daily Mail.

Championship rivals Burnley are said to have made an enquiry for Semenyo this week, whilst the likes of Leeds United, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, and Wolves are reportedly interested in Scott.

"Every bid is treated with respect," admitted Gould. "I wouldn’t get into the numbers I am afraid. It puts us in a poorer position in terms of the market. We don’t want to give away commercially sensitive information at this point. It’s nice to talk about it for the supporters.

"Normally it’s the way that it works that we have a number in mind. Ultimately it will be determined by the market and where the demand is for players. Sometimes our expectations may be beaten depending on the demand for a particular player.

"When you look at the number of transfers that have gone from the Championship into the Premier League in the last three or four years they have reduced significantly. They have dropped by something by a third. It’s not the size of the market that it used to be. We think there is a premium for British developed young players."

As for any potential incomings, no fees will be exchanged unless a player is moved on. City could explore the loan and free agent markets, but to make any wholesale changes to the squad, the position is that a player will need to be sold first.

Interest was registered in City’s players relatively early, which has provided an indication as to the position of prospective buyers. Potential transfer targets have been drawn up as a contingency plan should any team meet the valuations of the City’s current first-team squad.

“Some of the interest was shown early in the window and it gives us an indication as to the level of priority these players are for other clubs,” Gould added.

“I think it at least allows us to war game and strategize to ensure if our market requirement is met we’ve got other options available to ensure the squad is strengthened as a result of that.

“It’s nice to see some early interest. We’ve got our own ambitions as a team and as a club. Depending on the contractual positions and the wishes of the player and ourselves and agents, we’re not in a rush to sell, not at all.

“Like all the supporters we enjoy it when young players come through. They are still developing and have great talent. Not just those we have received offers for but throughout the squad. They are enjoying each other’s company on the pitch.

“It’s been our narrative for the last 12 months. In terms of bringing in players on fees, require fees in first.”