Championship rumours: Bristol City make ‘approach’ for Dutch star amid transfer ‘battle’ for League One defender

Bristol City have had a fast start to the summer transfer window with Nigel Pearson already snapping up three free transfers as he looks to improve his Robins group this summer.

Kane Wilson, Kal Naismith and Mark Sykes are being added to the team squad, which endured a disappointing campaign last season, finishing firmly in the bottom half of the Championship. Pearson will want much better in his second season in charge.

Today, the Daily Mail is reporting that the club have approached 24-year-old Dutchman left-back Kenneth Paal, with his PEC Zwolle contract set to expire on June 30.

However, BristolWorld understands that there is nothing in it, and it is most likely a case of an agent talking up a client.

The Daily Mail says City are joined by League One side Barnsley in their interest. Zwolle were relegated to the second tier this season, with Paal making 25 league appearances.

Elsewhere, City are among a number of clubs monitoring MK Dons star Tennai Watson, according to Football League World.

The Dons exercised their option to extent Watson’s contract this summer, but the report claims the Robins, as well as Swansea City and Preston North End are considering a move.

Watson is a 25-year-old wing-back who made the move to MK Dons from Reading last summer.

Since then he has made 36 appearances across all competitions, helping the Dons reach the playoffs.

He could now be offered a return to the Championship, and not forgetting MK Dons only have him tied down for another year.