Kane Wilson could be edging closer to the Bristol City exit door with interest from clubs in the Championship and League One, just 12 months after the Robins fought off a number of rivals to bring the talented defender to Ashton Gate.
Wilson has experienced a challenging campaign in BS3 as after signing for City from Forest Green Rovers as one of the most sought-after free agents in the EFL, he sustained an injury before the final pre-season game of the summer against Bournemouth and then lost his place in the starting XI to Mark Sykes.
A knee injury sustained in October kept him out until February and after returning to full fitness he found his place in the side blocked by George Tanner and the fact the Robins had reverted to a flat back-four, with Nigel Pearson even preferring Under-21 full-back Harry Leeson in his matchday squad.
With a four-man defence appearing to Pearson’s preferred system moving forward, coupled with the signing of Ross McCrorie from Aberdeen, Wilson’s opportunities look increasingly limited for 2023/24.
Given the 23-year-old still has two years left to run on his contract and with his reputation intact after a blistering season with Forest Green where he was named League Two Player of the Season, he represents a saleable asset for City.
Subsequently there has been interest throughout the EFL and Bristol Live understands the situation could develop over the next week where he would become the Robins’ first significant departure of the summer.
City have invested around £2m in initial fees for Rob Dickie and McCrorie, while they are also prepared to pay for Derby County midfielder Jason Knight with the Rams likely to require an offer in the region of £2m. Post-Covid, they represent healthy amounts in the Championship and while the January sale of Antoine Semenyo has given City a greater degree of financial flexibility and strength, they still need to balance the books.
With Wilson increasingly on the periphery under Pearson, in theory he allows them to raise some money in the market without directly damaging the first XI or limiting the manager’s immediate starting options. City could also end up making a profit on the 22-year-old having paid around £100,000 in compensation for the defender after he joined on a free transfer from New Lawn.
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