Striker Diony joins on loan
Posted: Thursday, January 25th 2018
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Johnson and Ashton on the transfer window
Monday, January 29th 2018
City are unlikely to add further new faces to their squad, according to head coach Lee Johnson and chief executive Mark Ashton.
With just three days to go until the window slams shut, City’s haul of three new recruits – Liam Walsh, Ryan Kent and Loïs Diony – looks to be their lot.
That would only change if a member of the first team squad that City have no desire to lose is the subject of a “stupid money” bid, which the club deems too good to refuse.
Head coach Johnson said: “I don’t think we need [any more signings].
“There could be some outs before the window closes, as far as non-first team squad players are concerned. That could be some young loans or squad trimming.
“I wouldn’t expect us to lose anybody that we don’t want to lose, unless someone came in with money that we feel could set the club up for a long time.
“The good news is the owner (Steve Lansdown) has gone away for a bit now. He’ll be in the jungle somewhere, so the mobile signal won’t be very good!”
FLINT "£6M BID" REFUTED
Asked about speculation regarding a £6m bid from Brighton & Hove Albion for Aden Flint, Johnson said: “The last conversation we had from them is that their interest (in Aden) is over.”
Chief executive Ashton spoke to BBC Radio Bristol early on Saturday and refuted the £6m figure, originally reported by Sky Sports News.
He added: “We’ve had queries for our players, but the owner says we don’t have to sell and that’s important. We’re trying to build here at Bristol City.
“What will happen in the final days of the window? We may have to brace ourselves but we don’t want to let any of our key players go. As things stand, hand on heart, I can say we are not in any transfer discussions about our current first team players.
“At the moment Diony is our final addition and it’s highly unlikely we’ll bring in any more. However, I’m too long in the tooth to say definitely because it’s the transfer window and you never know what can happen.”
City’s chief executive confirmed the club has already agreed a fee with Saint-Etienne for the permanent services of French striker Diony, should they wish to take up the option of turning the loan deal into a full-time transfer in the summer.
Ashton added that the fee would “be up there” with the largest paid by the club, with Famara Diédhiou’s £5.3m fee paid to Angers in June being the record to date.
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