Bristol City's attempts to sign left-back Jack Currie could fall through after AFC Wimbledon included a late clause to loan him back for the duration of the season, Bristol Live understands.
The Robins made a third bid in the region of £600,000 plus a 20 per cent sell-on clause on Tuesday morning after two initial offers were turned down. If the deal were to be completed before the 11pm deadline, it would pave way for Jay Dasilva's move to Coventry.
Currie, 21, wants to make the switch to BS3 and was given a verbal promise from the Dons to let him leave should the offer match their asking price. City believe they have made an acceptable bid but negotiations have hit a brick wall after the League Two club added a loan-back clause.
City want the player to join their ranks today instead of having to hold off until the summer. Firstly, because they believe his quality will add competition for first-choice Cam Pring but also because it provides another opportunity to reduce the wage bill by allowing Dasilva to leave.
The 24-year-old is wanted by Coventry where he would enjoy a reunion with ex-team-mate Kasey Palmer and assistant manager Adi Viveash, with the duo having worked together at the Chelsea academy. Dasilva is one of the highest earners at the club but his contract comes to an end in the summer when the Championship side would be open to returning with a new offer.
Currie has been a key figure this season with 25 appearances under Johnnie Jackson and unless AFC Wimbledon can source a replacement in the final throes of the window, they are reluctant to let him leave despite reassuring the player he could move on.
The two clubs generally have a good working relationship with Ryley Towler heading to the League Two side on loan during the first half of the season while striker Sam Pearson is also temporarily leading the line.
Currie arrived at AFC Wimbledon training as normal today but told manager Jackson he wasn't in the right frame of mind to participate in the wake of Bristol City's third offer. The deal isn't dead in the water as of yet, but it's appearing unlikely unless there's a breakthrough in negotiations.
What could work in City's favour, is AFC Wimbledon may risk the prospect of keeping an unhappy player among the ranks should he stay with the club.
AFC Wimbledon feel they don't particularly need to sell having already recouped £1.2m from the sale of Ayoub Assal to Qatari club Al Wakrah, plus the £800,000 they earned from Jack Rudoni’s move to Huddersfield Town last summer. Currie also has 18 months left to run on his contract with the option of an extra year.
In regards to central defender Jake O'Brien, the situation has remained the same. City have made a loan offer and alongside a percentage of his wages but Crystal Palace continue to hold out for more.
City confirmed their first arrival on deadline day with Anis Mehmeti joining on a three-and-a-half-year contract from Wycombe while Harry Cornick is expected to join after favouring the Robins over Swansea.
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