Bristol City have three key positions targeted as they once again hope to conclude the bulk of their business this month
Technical director Brian Tinnion of Bristol City has disclosed that the Robins are getting close to making their first summer signing, a winger, but he has also hinted that Burnley’s undetermined management status may affect their chances of landing Scott Twine.
With the acquisition of midfielder Joe Williams to a new three-year contract, City’s off-season business has been limited but significant thus far. However, as players return from vacation, the task of adding new players to the squad is expected to pick up speed and intensity in the coming weeks.
Given the desire for more pace and line-breaking ability in the squad, Tinnion and head coach Liam Manning have made it clear that City’s main requirements in the upcoming window are for a striker with a different skill set than Tommy Conway and Nahki Wells, a creative No10 (where former loanee Twine comes into the picture), and a winger.
During a lengthy conversation with the Forever Bristol City podcast, Tinnion talked about the present situation in the market and stated that they want to fill the latter job soon.
We’re very nearly at a seven, Tinnion stated. “We definitely expect to get past the queue in the next several days, and that’s probably the closest one.
“Of the nine, one has been identified in England, and there are likely two or three overseas. We are in good communication with the agents regarding these individuals, and we will monitor our progress with them.” Additionally, we think highly of Scott Twine.
In contrast to their competitors, City has performed exceptionally well in recent summer transfer windows by wrapping up business relatively early. It is hoped that at least one, if not two, of Rob Dickie, Haydon Roberts, and Ross McCrorie will be present at the High Performance Centre on the first day of pre-season later this month. The three were confirmed a year ago.
Twine is the third player for whom City could have to wait a little bit longer, as Burnley is still without a permanent manager after Vincent Kompany left for Bayern Munich. Having returned to the Championship, the Wiltshire-born midfielder could theoretically be a first-team option for the Clarets after being loaned out to Hull City and the Robins during their Premier League tenure.
A lot of that depends on the manager’s perspective at Turf Moor, where Craig Bellamy has been appointed as interim head coach while Frank Lampard and Scott Parker are among the possible long-term candidates for the position.
Before the January transfer window opened, Burnley was offering clubs £5 million. City was then able to work out a loan deal based on Twine’s connection to Manning at MK Dons and the fact that he would play a clear centre role because Hull had placed him on the left.
Even though Twine has two years remaining on his contract, it doesn’t seem like the Clarets would seek for the same amount. However, if the team’s next head coach, whomever that may be, wants to keep Twine on staff, that could not matter.
“We performed incredibly well last year; Dickie, Roberts, and McCrorie were all completed very early, and we were extremely pleased,” Tinnion continued to FBC. Since Jason Knight was serving overseas, it took him a little longer.
However, we want it finished early so that on the first day of preseason, the team can gather together and say, “Leave it. Let’s go.” Twine might be a little more challenging given the circumstances [at Burnley], but if we didn’t have in for the preseason, I’d be really dissatisfied.
Although Twine is the club’s top aim, Tinnion noted that the striker shortlist included strikers who are “physical runners” and under 24. In the event that a trade isn’t feasible, the team has other options in the playmaking position.
There is hope that City can make major progress in 2024–2025 if they can correct the forward positions, especially with Rob Atkinson and Kal Naismith expected to return to full fitness and Max Bird and Adam Murphy joining the ranks of central midfield.
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