Bristol City’s transfer business is about to pick up, and we could soon we see the club announce the arrivals of up to three players.
News broke on Monday that Rob Dickie is undergoing a medical, ahead of a proposed move of up to £1m from Championship rivals QPR. The 27-year-old’s seemingly imminent arrival is a welcome one as the Robins are in need of defensive reinforcements, and with Nigel Pearson a former centre-back himself, there should be a feeling of excitement about addressing an area that has been a problem position for most of the 59-year-old’s tenure.
Dickie isn’t the only one that is apparently on his way to Ashton Gate, as a fee seems to have been agreed with Scottish Premiership outfit Aberdeen for their utility man Ross McCrorie. McCrorie has played at centre-back, but he’s either played at right-back or defensive midfield, and you’d think that McCrorie would favour the latter, as he’s managed to get a few goals from that position, and Pearson is also seeking goal-scoring midfielders.
To usher in a new signing, the clubs media team have a trademark of ‘opening the roof’ at their stadium, with any new arrival taken up to the top of the stadium to be revealed. One player that fans are desperate to see unveiled is Joe Bryan, who has been linked with a sensational return. His contract is up with Fulham and it isn’t expected to be renewed, whilst Pearson whilst remaining respectful about another clubs player, did discuss potentially re-signing him.
It’s looking to be a productive week for City in the transfer market, and all these potential new arrivals, is making it hard to choose a team. We’ve tried to do it, and have seemingly moved away from the four-man defence that worked so well for City during that run, but Nigel Pearson knows more than us when it comes to football.
Here we give our take on how to fit in City’s new signings. What do you think? How would you go about things?
1. GK: Max O’Leary
Bajic’s returning this summer to challenge O’Leary, but expect the City academy graduate to be number one. Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
2. RCB: Zak Vyner
A superb season from Vyner last year and he’ll want to build on that. He was solid, and barely missed a game. Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
3. CB: Rob Dickie
Dickie’s arrival will add some much needed depth to City’s back line. He’s a physical presence and being central of three would be a good option. Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
4. LCB: Kal Naismith
Naismith could play in defence or midfield and is a brilliant player to have. It was a slow start for him but you can see the team ticks when he’s involved. Photo: Alex Burstow/Getty Image