Robins still trying to sort out a new deal for striker Diedhiou
BRISTOL City have recalled five players from loan spell to bolster their squad and will keep their options open regarding the January transfer market.
Head coach Dean Holden explained recently the Robins are “open-minded” on what happens in the transfer window and he reiterated that at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Portsmouth.
The Robins have sold players to buy others in the past and they may trade again in the next weeks, if they need to.
“There’s always initial conversations going on from agents and things like that, ‘would you let such and such a player leave...’ It’s natural. It’s natural throughout the football season, not just in the window,” said Holden.
“There have been tentative inquiries on some of our players. But in terms of bids coming in, there’s nothing to report.”
The Bristol Post understands one of those inquiries was from Middlesbrough over Famara Diedhiou. There have been no bids though, just as Holden explained.
With just six months remaining on his deal, Diedhiou is garnering much interest from clubs all over, as befits a Senegal international player who has previously hit a hattrick for his country and top-scored for Bristol City in the past two seasons, as well as being the club’s player of the season for 2019-20.
Chief executive Mark Ashton and head coach Dean Holden will soon have some major decisions to make on the 28-year-old striker.
Diedhiou has indicated he is keen to stay at BS3, but that contract talk has lasted a long time without a conclusion. As City get
closer to the summer, a new contract agreement must be found, a transfer offer from elsewhere accepted, or the player must look to leave BS3. A game of brinkmanship now proceeds, in some respects.
We specifically asked about Diedhiou and his contract situation but there was still nothing to add.
“That’s just natural when contracts run down (that he could sign elsewhere),” said Holden when we asked the head coach if he is worried at the prospect of losing the 6ft 4ins powerhouse forward, who has five international goals in 10 games.
“Mark’s very experienced at that and he’s in talks with Famara and his agent and has good relationships with them.
“I’m relaxed about it. There’s no news on that.”
Adam Nagy has been linked with CSKA Moscow but we understand the midfielder is likely to remain at Ashton Gate this January ahead of Euro 2020 and a summer tournament with Hungary.
The 25-year-old has been in good form and is playing regularly (making 13 league starts this season), and will want to cement his place in the Hungary side ahead of facing France, Portugal and Germany in June.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s thirdround tie against Portsmouth at Ashton Gate, which kicks-off at 1.30m, Holden said: “Well we’ve had our eyes on them with Cameron Pring being on loan there, a team that are going really well in the division.
“They’ve scored lots of goals, they’ve got a lot of clean sheets on the board as well.
“They’re a team in form but they’ve not played for a few weeks. I think December 18 was their last game. They’ve been able to get some rest into the players and work on a few things.
“We’re expecting a tough game. It’s the FA Cup. My football memory tells me that there are shocks in every round. It’s a magical trophy and I spoke to the players about that this morning. I think sometimes in the modern day, with competitions being rebranded and with more competitions than when I was younger, it’s important that everyone is aware how much of a history this competition holds. It’s a competition we’re taking seriously.”