Bristol City’s blockbuster £6m January transfer window predicted – including Liverpool and Newcastle deals
Bristol City could be set to sign to bring in a number of new players this winter
January is finally upon us. The Christmas trees are down, the gym memberships have been optimistically taken out, and workers have trudged back to the office, troubled by the grim understanding that festive tins of chocolate are no longer an acceptable luncheon choice. January also means the transfer window is open again, allowing football clubs in England and elsewhere in Europe to buy and sell players until the end of the month.
It’s been a quiet January for the Robins so far, with the club yet to add to the £7.5m spending spree they embarked upon last summer, snapping up the likes of star midfielder Scott Twine from Burnley, and striker Fally Mayulu, who has so far scored two goals in 15 Championship appearances.
In terms of rumours of incoming signings this month, a report over the weekend linked the club with a move for Swansea City centre-back Harry Darling, who was on the radar of Chelsea and Brighton during his time with MK Dons.
Meanwhile, on the field, Bristol City secured a 1-0 win over Derby County at the weekend – a result that leaves Liam Manning’s side 8th in the Championship table, just one point behind the play-off places.
As the January transfer window creaks open, we fired up the latest edition of the notoriously addictive game Football Manager, and ran a simulation to predict all the players that will be welcomed to Ashton Gate this month:
Which new players joined Bristol City?
Robins fans barely had time to wish each other a happy new year before the club made their first signing of the month, with Ipswich Town goalkeeper Christian Walton arriving on loan. The ex-England U21 shot-stopper famously went on loan to no fewer than seven different clubs during his time at Brighton, and he’ll look to finally settle down at Ashton Gate.
Towering journeyman goalkeeper in the bag, Steve Lansdown and co vowed to keep the January spending going, and dropped £500k on versatile defender Josh Knight. Clearly life in Germany wasn’t for the ex-Peterborough United man, who cast off his newly-acquired Lederhosen and left Hanover 96 to move back to England. He was followed swiftly through the door by Millwall full-back Danny McNamara, who also arrived on a £500k deal.
There are no recommendation for the moment
Another player to end a new start prematurely, Tomas Moschion was allowed to tear up his new contract with Japanese third tier side FC Imabari and join the Robins on a three-year-deal, with not a penny paid in terms of a transfer fee. We’ll forgive you if you haven’t heard of the 5ft 7 midfield maestro who once turned out for the amusingly named Argentinian side Colón – we’re as baffled as you are with this signing.
Would the Robins stop with their transfer business there? No, the fun had just begun. As the calendar hurtled ever closer to the transfer deadline, the decision makers at Ashton Gate went with a bold gamble, spending £2.3m to sign 21-year-old attacking midfielder James Balagizi from Liverpool.
Who did Bristol City sign on Deadline Day?
While most Championship clubs had finished with their transfer business by this point, the Robins upped their efforts considerably, landing no fewer than three new signings on Deadline Day.
Early in the morning, Sky Sports News’ yellow transfer ticket burst to life, bringing word that Bristol City had sealed a £700k move for 19-year-old midfielder Burnley midfielder Tommy McDermott. He signed the dotted line on a three-year-contract, just under a year after moving to Turf Moor.
Behind the scenes, the club’s recruitment staff went into overdrive, after news reached them that Newcastle United starlet Garang Kuol would be available on loan. Bristol City beat a host of fellow Championship clubs to get their man in on a short-term deal until the end of the season. The highly-rated Australia international suffered a grade three tear to his right quad a few months ago, which is why he never made a summer move elsewhere.
‘Don’t go to bed just yet…’ came the cryptic social media post from the club, accompanied with a teasing picture of footballer’s silhouette. Thirty minutes before the transfer window slammed shut, ex-Celtic midfielder Luca Connell was revealed as the shadowy presence, beaming wide and kissing the badge in his announcement video. It cost precisely £2.1m to prise the technically gifted midfielder away from League One side Barsley.
So, there you have it – Football Manager has predicted Bristol City’s January transfer window. Let’s be honest, the chances of any of these deals being pulled off are slim, but just imagine the scenes if the mysterious Tomas Moschion really does rock up at Ashton Gate later this month.
Read more on;https://sportupdates.co.uk
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