Have City lost interest?

Bristol City may have lost interest in their main transfer target James Hayter.

The struggling League One side put in two bids for the Bournemouth star last week, but both ‘six figure’ bids were rejected by Cherries Chairman Peter Phillips.

At the time Peter Phillips said ‘…We certainly wouldn’t entertain selling him for what Bristol City offered and if they are interested, they will have to think again.’

According to TEAMtalk, Bristol City may have decided to pursue other targets.

Bristol City chief executive Colin Sexstone told ‘PA Sport’…

‘We have submitted two separate bids – sizeable sums that we consider to be fair – but unfortunately Mr Phillips believes we have not met his valuation, I don’t think we will come back with another offer, but that’s for the chairman to decide. We have other options and potential targets.’

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson remained optimistic about bringing in new faces. Explaining to their official website…

‘We are finding that even clubs whose players are out of contract at the end of the season want them to play on Saturday before making a final decision on their futures.

‘I can see there being a lot of business done on Monday once the weekend fixtures are out of the way. We have several irons in the fire, but there is nothing positive to report at this stage.’

But Cherries Chairman Peter Phillips talking to the Daily Echo today practically ended any hopes for Bristol City signing Hayter…

Phillips said…

“Steve Lansdown stated at the weekend that he was going to come back and he did.

“We had a chat but there is a long way between our valuation and the amount Bristol City are prepared to pay so I suspect that will be the end of the matter.

“I would be very surprised if they were to come back. I think our valuation is substantially more than their offer, so I don’t think we’ll hear from them again.”

He went on to say…

“…their argument is that James is out of contract at the end of the season and might go for nothing.

“Although that could be the case, he won’t go to Bristol City so if they want a top striker, they are going to have to pay good money for him now.”

The Echo interview ended with Phillips saying…

“They will now probably look elsewhere for a new striker and they have behaved perfectly well during their negotiations with us.”

The Sun newspaper claims that Peter Phillips’ asking price is around the £350,000 mark.