Interesting Stoke City transfer development as Wolves join race for Bristol City captain

Dan Bentley’s Bristol City departure could be sped up after a transfer development at Stoke
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Bristol City could be braced for a bidding war for Dan Bentley with reported interest from a new club and a development from Stoke City. Bentley this week was linked with a move from Ashton Gate and after falling out-of-favour could be on the move.

A report from BristolLive said that Stoke had been considering a loan move for the 29-year-old shot-stopper this month. Bentley is out-of-contract in the summer and has not played a competitive match since October.

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Bentley was dropped after City lost 3-0 to Birmingham, and has been on the bench playing second fiddle to Max O’Leary. Summer signing Stefan Bajic played over him in the Carabao Cup defeat to Lincoln City.

Speculation has now begun over a possible move away from Ashton Gate, for a player that has been at the club since 2019. New contracts have been offered to those whose deals expire in the summer but it is unsure whether Bentley is one of those players.

The latest update from Stoke is that goalkeeper Joe Bursik looks to be on the move with Club Brugge winning his signature. Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath says that Bursik is undergoing a medical and that a deal had been agreed.

Brugge are managed by former Bournemouth and Fulham boss Scott Parker and are in the UEFA Champions League. With Stoke set to receive a fee for Bursik it could prompt the Potters to reinvest the money received in the England Under-21 international into a move for Bentley.

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Stoke have Jack Bonham who could deputise as Bursik finalies his move to Belgium, whilst former Robins goalkeeper Frankie Fielding is also on their books. Alex Neil would need another goalkeeper however with Fielding only considered third choice and Bentley could reinvent himself at the bet365 Stadium.

Stoke may have to be quick however as Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers have seemingly entered the race. talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook told GiveMeSport that Bentley is a name that has been suggested to the Midlands club.

Wolves want a goalkeeper that can challenge Jose Sa and with Matija Sarkic potentially on the move, Bentley could be the one to challenge the Portuguese goalkeeper. Bentley has made no illusions that he wants to play in the Premier League and with the keeper approaching 30, this could be his last opportunity.

As for Bristol City’s stance, first-team manager Nigel Pearson did not deny speculation. His future could be up for consideration and said that the club could entertain an offer that would be beneficial to them.

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"You would be very, very surprised by what clubs deem to be reasonable offers,” said Pearson. We will only move players if it’s in our interest to do it or if we feel it’s a fair situation."

"We’ve had enquiries about players but it just remains that, there have been tentative enquiries but not a lot going on really.

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