Premier League club Brentford keeping transfer tabs on Bristol City star

Premier League club Brentford are reportedly interested in signing Bristol City centre-back Zak Vyner.

Darren Witcoop, the Sunday Mirror Sports News Editor says that the Bees are ‘keeping tabs’ on Vyner, but that City remain in talks to tie him down long-term. City activated a one-year extension clause in the 25-year-old’s contract but are keen to keep him at Ashton Gate beyond the summer of 2024.

The Bath-born defender is a contender for Player of the Season this year after being one of City’s consistent performers. Vyner looked like he was going to leave the club last summer but he made the most of Timm Klose’s unavailability in pre-season and has been a constant figure in City’s back line, missing just one match. He has been part of a defence that has registered 11 clean sheets in the Championship this season.

Last week, Nigel Pearson expressed his delight that Vyner was able to persuade him to stay at the club. He said: “Zak has had a remarkable season when you consider the position he was in last pre-season, I’m very thankful that is the case.”

In addition to his comments in February, Pearson said in November that the academy graduate had showed more ‘reliability’ and had ‘matured. He also said: “There were doubts whether he was going to stay here or not. It’s a good response from him and I’m very pleased for him. When I or we make decisions on potential departures of the football club and then it changes because the player is able to change how we view the situation, it is good.”

The summer transfer window at City will be to recruit a new centre-back this summer, which makes Vyner’s departure unlikely given the lack of depth. Tomas Kalas is out-of-contract at the end of the season and has missed a majority of the campaign through injury. Rob Atkinson is set to miss the start of the 2023/24 season too so signing new defenders is a must rather than letting them leave.