Bristol City are set to seal a bargain deal of around £1million for QPR’s Rob Dickie with the centre-back due for a medical today at the Robins High Performance Centre.
As first reported by the Telegraph, Dickie has agreed personal terms to make the move along the M4 as City have taken advantage of his contract status at Loftus Road with just 12 months remaining on his deal.
The Rs were keen for Dickie to stay in west London but he’s been tempted to Ashton Gate by Nigel Pearson and City's Championship rivals were left with a decision to take what they could for him now, or risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.
Given Dickie was being linked with Premier League moves last year to Norwich City, Everton and Leeds United, City's acquisition - with the total package worth just over seven figures in total - can be seen as a considerable coup. Indeed, speaking last year, former Rs striker Kevin Gallen valued the tall defender at £10m.
“He’s got a good seven or eight years left in him so he’s not really high risk. If you’re signing Dickie for £10m, it’s not a high risk signing because you know what you’re going to get. Solid defender, good on the ball, good attitude,” Gallen told West London Sport.
Dickie arrives with considerable experience at this level having made 129 appearances for QPR after signing from Oxford United in the summer of 2021. He was the club’s Player of the Year in his first season but struggled in the most recent campaign as the Rs plummeted down the table following the exit of Michael Beale.
He significantly boosts the Robins' central defensive unit as, at present, Pearson’s only fit senior centre-back is Zak Vyner with Rob Atkinson recovering from an ACL injury and not due back until the autumn, at the earliest.
Tomas Kalas is out of contract in less than four weeks and has been offered reduced terms but talks remain ongoing as the Czech Republic international has tentative interest in Europe.
Kalas was this weekend pictured on former Robins goalkeeper Dan Bentley’s stag do in Ibiza alongside teammates Cam Pring and Harvey Wiles-Richards plus ex-City players Callum O’Dowda and Taylor Moore.
City are also expected to complete the signing of Ross McCrorie from Aberdeen with the versatile Scot due for a medical over the next 24 hours.
Reports in Scotland have claimed the total package is worth in the region of £3m to the Dons but Bristol Live understands it’s just over a million up front with further incentives - such as international caps, appearances and other bonuses - taking it just beyond the £2m mark.
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