Bristol City January transfer window begins – ins, outs, and deadline day details

What to expect from Bristol City - from January 1, to January 31 - the entirety of the winter transfer window
January is an important month for Bristol City and Nigel Pearson. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)January is an important month for Bristol City and Nigel Pearson. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
January is an important month for Bristol City and Nigel Pearson. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

The New Year is here, and it could be a New Year, New Bristol City, as the January transfer window opens. The Robins haven’t utilised the market since Nigel Pearson but that could all change.

Richard Gould is sticking around until the end of the month, as he takes up the CEO role at the England and Wales Cricket board. His replacement has already been named - Phil Alexander - who has a vast amount of experience, mainly at Crystal Palace, and most recently Wycombe Wanderers.

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The winter window isn’t a period that Pearson is keen to deal with, but there is a desire to do something, and he wants to do it early. Here is what we can expect from Bristol City this month.

When does the January window open and close?

The January transfer window opened at midnight on January 1, and will shut at 11.00 pm on Tuesday, January 31. It gives City over four weeks to conduct any business, with at least five games pencilled in.

City face Swansea City in the FA Cup third round at Ashton Gate next Sunday, with a replay possible if the match finishes a draw. If City lose, then they’d face Huddersfield Town on January 28, if both teams exit the competition.

The last game of the month is January 28, against Huddersfield, with no fixture pencilled in for Deadline Day, which has been the case a few times. It allows City the chance to focus on transfer business, rather than also having to contend with a match.

The possible exits from Ashton Gate

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There could be at least three departures from BS3 this month, after a decision last month.  Three unnamed players that are out of contract next summer, have been told they don’t have a future at the club. They have been told, as their departures could come six months earlier, with the possibility of them being used as makeweights in potential deals.

The reality at City is that they will have to move players out before signing anyone, unless there is an opportunity that is too hard to resist. City are navigating through Financial Fair Play rules, and do not have much wiggle room.

Han-Noah Massengo is one player that could depart, should an opportunity arise. He was offered a new contract last year but his representatives have not entertained the idea, and as a result, Massengo has found himself out of favour. The latest is that Massengo will run his contract down, which could leave his career in further limbo. Clubs from England and France have been interested, but there have been no concrete offers.

Club captain Daniel Bentley has been displaced by Max O’Leary - who is also out-of-contract this summer, and with the arrival of Stefan Bajic in the summer, Bentley’s days could be numbered. Bentley has not played since October, and so a move away could be in the pipeline.

What about incomings at Bristol City?

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As touched upon, City will have to move players out before signing anyone, but that hasn’t stopped speculation. Koffi Djidji is one of the bigger names linked, but that is almost a non-starter. Djidji is with Serie A outfit Torino, and regularly plays for them, but is out of contract at the end of the season.

City are in competition with Anderlecht, Fulham and Italian football giants Inter Milan. Inter are prepared to wait until the summer.

Macaulay Langstaff from Notts County is another named that has been mooted, but both their chairman and manager have issued a strong transfer warning. Langstaff is leading the way for goals in the National League, but has not played at a professional level. Cardiff City and Swansea City are also said to be interested, but Cardiff are under a transfer embargo.

Evan Ferguson is another name that was branded about in November, but he has recently forced his way into the first-team at Brighton. Ferguson scored against Arsenal, in a 4-2 defeat on New Years Eve, and that could spell an end for City, and the other six clubs interested.

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Centre-back is the position that City want to strengthen given their defensive frailties this season. Sheffield United loan man Reda Khadra was also of interest, and with his future uncertain at Bramall Lane, don’t rule out a move if he is recalled by Brighton.

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