Bristol City set to splash £3m on 6ft 5in MLS defender - Fabrizio Romano has confirmed it | OneFootball

Bristol City are closing in on their latest January signing ahead of Monday's 7pm deadline

Bristol City are on the verge of completing the signing of Swedish defender Noah Eile from Red Bull New York.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the centre-back is set to make the switch to Ashton Gate on the final days of the January transfer window, with a replacement sought for the soon-departing Zak Vyner.

The Robins are looking to bolster their backline for the remainder of the Championship campaign, with their sights set on achieving another play-off finish.

23-year-old Eile - who stands at a towering 6ft 5in - made 30 appearances in MLS last season, starting on 29 occasions, as the team finished 10th in the Eastern Conference and 18th in the overall standings - he's now closing in on a move to England.

Bristol City close in on £3m agreement with New York Red Bulls

As reported, Bristol City have agreed a deal with New York Red Bulls worth $4.2 million (£3.09 million) for Noah Eile ahead of Monday’s 7pm deadline.

The Sweden under-21 international has given the green light to complete the move, and the Robins will now be looking to get it done before the transfer window shuts at 7pm on February 2.

The Championship side have already completed the loan signings of George Earthy and Delano Burgzorg this window, along with the permanent additions of young Man City left-back Seb Naylor and Sam Morsy.

Gerhard Struber’s squad isn’t finished just yet, with Eile now also set to be added to their ranks, in what appears to be a long-term replacement for Zak Vyner.

As reported on Friday, academy graduate Vyner is closing in on a £1.5 million move to Championship rivals Wrexham, leaving a hole in Gerhard Struber's defensive unit.

And City could certainly do with some positive moves in the final stretch of the transfer window, with a 5-0 hammering at home to Derby County on Friday night denting their play-off hopes and frustrating the fanbase - Eile's expected arrival should help matters though.

Noah Eile signing is a gamble by Bristol City - but a necessary one

Bristol City have taken a gamble on Eile, who has yet to cut his teeth in English football after spending two seasons in the MLS.

However, he came through the ranks in his native Sweden at Malmo and had two seasons in the Allsvenskan with Mjallby, which as we've seen in recent years is a well-trodden path into English football, with various punts made by EFL outfits on Scandinavian-based players.

Eile is also still only 23 years of age, so he has room to grow and develop in the coming years, and he could even be worth a lot more than the £3 million fee if he can do well.

It is a gamble to sign such an unknown quantity for the Championship, but it could yet prove a very shrewd move in the long run.