Blackburn Rovers, Derby County & QPR interested in Bristol City man - he's "keen" on Ashton Gate exit | OneFootball

Max O'Leary is the subject of interest from a trio of Championship clubs this January

Bristol City goalkeeper Max O’Leary is attracting interest from QPR, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County.

According to Sky Sports (January 14, 1:49pm), the shot-stopper has a number of suitors this month amid his lack of game-time under Gerhard Struber.

The 29-year-old was first choice at Ashton Gate under Liam Manning last season, but he has fallen down the pecking order with the arrival of Radek Vitek on loan from Manchester United in the summer.

He’s made just five appearances in the Championship so far this season, owing to the Czech stopper's recent injury, but he has played over 150 times for the Robins since breaking into the first team squad.

O’Leary played in all 46 of the team’s regular league fixtures in the previous second tier campaign, conceding 55 times, as the club earned a play-off place, before being comprehensively defeated 6-0 on aggregate to Sheffield United in the semi-finals.

Bristol City's Max O’Leary eyed for transfer Derby, Blackburn and QPR

O’Leary is being eyed as a potential signing by Derby, Blackburn and QPR this month - all of whom are seemingly eyeing up some fresh goalkeeper competition in their ranks.

The goalkeeper’s contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign, and it’s believed that he is ready to make the move away from Ashton Gate in order to earn regular game-time again.

It remains to be seen whether the Robins will be willing to cash in on the 29-year-old, who is second choice behind Vitek when both are fit and available.

However, Vitek is only at the club on loan, and he will return to Man United in the summer with no guarantee of a permanent stay with the Championship side.

The emergence of Senne Lammens at Old Trafford this season could lead to the Premier League side being open to a sale at the end of the campaign, but Joe Lumley is their only option currently set to be with the club beyond June 2026.

Lewis Thomas is also into the final year of his contract, although Bristol City have an option to extend it by a further season.

Max O’Leary sale might be Bristol City’s best move - Radek Vitek issue remains though

O’Leary has proven himself as a dependable goalkeeper at this level, but Vitek’s impressive performances have made it hard for him to get back into the team when the Czech stopper is fit - he's currently sidelined until February though.

There’s no doubt O'Leary could be a starter elsewhere in the division, so it’s no surprise that the likes of QPR, Blackburn and Derby are all interested - with the likes of Balazs Toth and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom at Rovers and County though, he probably wouldn't start there either.

Given his expiring contract, a sale this month might be the best move for all parties as the Robins still have Thomas and Lumley to deputise for Vitek until he returns from his injury.

Any fee they can earn this month will be better than losing him for nothing, especially as his departure wouldn’t have a major impact on the team due to him losing his place as the number one.