Bristol City push to seal Ipswich Town transfer | OneFootball

Ross McCrorie's future at Ashton Gate is uncertain due to his 2027 contract expiration

Bristol City are preparing for another campaign in the Championship following the appointment of Michael Skubala as head coach.

The Robins endured a disappointing season, with Roy Hodgson overseeing their final run of fixtures after Gerhard Struber was dismissed in late March.

The club were unable to secure another top six finish after Liam Manning guided the team to the play-offs in 2025.

Instead, Bristol City had to settle for 12th, with the side coming 11 points adrift of the play-offs.

Hodgson departed at the end of the campaign, having come out of retirement to take over on an interim basis.

Skubala was brought in as a permanent successor to Struber after he led Lincoln City to promotion to the Championship.

Bristol City eye Ipswich Town defender

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It has been reported by the BBC that Bristol City are keen on a deal to sign Ipswich Town defender Harry Clarke.

The full-back still has 12 months remaining on his current contract, but he struggled for game time last season, which led to him going out on loan.

Clarke didn’t play at all in the first half of the campaign before moving to Charlton Athletic in January, where he played 19 times in the Championship.

With the Tractor Boys gaining promotion, it’s unlikely that the 25-year-old will receive much game time at Portman Road even with Kieran McKenna’s departure.

This has opened the door for Bristol City, who are keen on adding the defender to their ranks following Skubala’s appointment.

Clarke originally helped Ipswich gain promotion from League One in 2023, playing 20 times as they came second in the table.

And he made a further 35 appearances in the Championship for the Suffolk outfit as they clinched another promotion just a year later.

But his game time began to drop off significantly with Ipswich’s return to the Premier League in 2024, playing just seven times before going out on loan to Sheffield United in January 2025.

The Tractor Boys are now at risk of losing him for nothing in 2027, so could be open to offers this summer.

Skubala is keen to strengthen at right-back, particularly due to Ross McCrorie’s own contract situation.

The Scot’s deal also expires in 12 months’ time, and that uncertainty over his future has sparked Bristol City’s interest in Clarke.

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Ross McCrorie situation makes Harry Clarke pursuit sensible

Clarke fell down the pecking order at Ipswich, but he is still a more than capable defender at this level, as shown by his stint at Charlton.

Given McCrorie’s contract situation, a pursuit for Clarke makes sense as he will give the club some leverage and could be signed at a reasonable cost.

If the 28-year-old isn’t willing to renew his deal, then the Robins will have to consider a sale, and bringing in Clarke before that would mean the squad isn’t left short.

Replacing McCrorie will be tough, and Clarke will have big boots to fill, but he could prove a positive addition, and he’d certainly be strong competition if the former Aberdeen player opts to stay at Ashton Gate.