Bristol City must accelerate Ipswich Town swoop after Rangers transfer decision | OneFootball

Bristol City should look to accelerate a deal for Ipswich right-back Harry Clarke following Ross McCrorie's exit

Bristol City are entering a new era, and with the summer transfer window officially underway, the Robins have been one of the most active clubs in the EFL, with optimism ramping up around the club.

Following another solid top-half finish in the second tier, Bristol City are aiming to continue that trend heading into next campaign, as the club sees numerous changes occurring in the background.

Former Arsenal technical director James Ellis has joined the club as sporting director, and played an influential role in the appointment of Michael Skubala, who guided Lincoln City to over a century of points in League One last year.

The likes of Sam Tickle, Sam Greenwood, and Gibson Yah have all joined the club to kick-start business this summer at Ashton Gate, whilst Leyton Orient's Dom Ballard is being courted heavily by the club after a bid of around £2.5 million was knocked back by the London club.

The Robins are not messing about this summer, and having fallen short of the play-offs under Gerhard Struber and then Roy Hodgson last time around, will be aiming to right those wrongs, and following the exit of one of their star performers from last season, must accelerate plans for a Premier League replacement.

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With three already through the door and Ballard potentially being the fourth, Bristol City are making a clear statement of intent to the rest of the league that they are not here to merely make up the numbers next year.

It will be their 12th consecutive year in the Championship next time around, alongside Preston North End, having become a staple of the second tier, something which they will be hoping to change with promotion.

Each of Mark Sykes, Sam Morsy, and Harry Cornick have all been released following the end of their deals, and a significant exit has already taken place in the form of Ross McCrorie.

McCrorie, 28, joined Bristol City in the summer of 2023 from Aberdeen, and it would take him a couple of years to become a regular fixture in the Robins side.

Last season, McCrorie made 39 Championship appearances, scoring three and assisting six, predominantly as a right wing-back in a back five formation, thriving in his new role.

Capable of playing anywhere across the back line, his excellent form alerted the attention of boyhood club Rangers, who have parted ways to bring the Scot back to Ibrox for around £1.5 million.

His exit will no doubt be felt harshly by the club, who must now look to replace his output on the right flank, and having already targeted Ipswich Town's Harry Clarke as a potential option, should accelerate a deal for the 25-year-old to join the club.

Clarke has 78 second-tier appearances to his name with the likes of Stoke City, Ipswich, Sheffield United, and, most recently, Charlton Athletic, with whom he spent the second half of last campaign on loan.

His contract at Ipswich was due to expire this summer, but the Tractor Boys have decided to extend his stay at Portman Road for a further year, though an exit could still well be on the cards this summer.

Following Ipswich's promotion, he's unlikely to be in incoming boss Gary O'Neil's plans, as Ipswich may well look to recoup a minimal fee for him during the coming weeks and months.

Having already been confirmed to be a target for the Robins, following McCrorie's exit, Bristol City must look to get this deal over the line as soon as possible before another team attempts to lure him elsewhere.

Michael Skubala must address the right-back position ASAP at Bristol City

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With McCrorie heading back to Ibrox and Sykes having been released, this leaves just George Tanner as the only other possible option remaining at right-back/right wing-back in the Robins' squad heading into next season.

Skubala has proven his excellent squad-building skills during his time with Lincoln, and will no doubt be looking to transfer them over to Bristol City this summer.

Clarke would be a solid addition in that position, having earned promotion twice in his career already, and can also cover numerous other positions if required.

Available for relatively cheap, this is one the Robins should get over the line sooner rather than later.