Potters are linked with a swoop for City’s Kalas
BRISTOL City defender Tomas Kalas is emerging as a summer target for Championship rivals Stoke as the Czech Republic centreback enters the final year of his contract at Ashton Gate.
The Mail on Sunday report that the Potters are “monitoring” Kalas’ situation at City as Michael O’Neill wants a dominating centre-back following the departure of Nathan Collins to Burnley.
Former City head coach Dean Holden is O’Neill’s number two at the bet365 Stadium – although he himself has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Blackpool – and it would not be the first time the Potters were interested in one of the Robins’ premier players, as they came close to signing Andi Weimann last summer before he signed a new three-year contract.
Kalas is a free agent next summer and this transfer window, which officially opens on June 10, is the last opportunity City have to receive a worthwhile transfer fee for the 29year-old, who has played 105 times since signing on a permanent deal from Chelsea in 2019 for what was a club record transfer fee.
It is understood there have been no formal discussions over extending his agreement as yet, although Kalas has publicly admitted he would like to stay in the West Country.
He is one of 18 first-team players who are out of contract next year, putting the Robins in an interesting situation. On the one hand, he is a key player who has been a nearautomatic starter when fit who likely has several seasons ahead of him.
But he is also City’s highest-earner, with Nigel Pearson speaking last month of a desire to achieve some sense of wage parity, and the club need to further reduce their salary levels to help meet the EFL’s Profit & Sustainability obligations for next season. It would be perfectly understandable for City to assess what sort of market is out there for Kalas before making a decision.
City have already boosted their centre-back ranks this summer with the arrival of Kal Naismith on a free transfer from Luton, while Timm Klose has signed a new one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months based on appearances.
The Robins have plenty of centrebacks in first-team contention, but that list does include Robbie Cundy who, as it stands, is yet to sign the new contract he was offered at the end of last season, youngsters Ryley Towler and Duncan Idehen, who could be set for loan spells, and Nathan Baker whose future is uncertain following two separate concussions last term.
Kalas is currently recovering from a groin operation undertaken at the end of last season, which kept him out of City’s final ten games. He did not link up with the Czech Republic squad for their Nations League fixtures this month, but is expected to report for pre-season training.
Should Kalas move to Stoke, it could well improve Bristol Rovers’ chances of signing Potters prospect Connor Taylor on loan.