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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Brian Tinnion lays out Bristol City's recruitment plan with 'three or four' targets lined up

Brian Tinnion and staff will waste no time in pursuing Bristol City's summer transfer targets having stated the intentions to do business as soon as the final whistle blows at the end of the season.

City's Head of Recruitment will look to bolster the Robins with three or "maybe four" new arrivals during the off-season and indicated there will be money to spend following January's £10.5million sale of striker Antoine Semenyo. Tinnion did confirm, however, that Alex Scott could also depart the club due to his levels of Premier League interest.

The club already have their targets in mind and will fit the profile of young, athletic and experienced players from League One or Two who haven't had a crack of the whip in the Championship.

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Tinnion said: "We're very active, we had a recruitment meeting last Thursday with the manager and the first-team staff. We know exactly what we want.

"We know the targets that we've got so we'll try and act as quickly as we can when that final whistle goes on the last day of the season. Probably, three or maybe four (players).

"It depends on any outgoings as well. There's going to be interest in Alex Scott, maybe one or two others but definitely three, maybe four if one goes.

"They'll be money this summer. We'll be in a position to sign players, like Mehmeti. We won't sign any players that are on the down. They'll all be on the up, they'll all be young, they'll all be athletic and be able to run because that's what our team is going to be based on now.

"There's some really good players in League One that just need an opportunity. What we're looking for are players who have maybe played 200 games and who have the experience but just haven't had the opportunity to play in the Championship so we're very clear on what we want, clear on the positions and our targets."

Bristol City could reignite their interest in Jack Currie (Pete Norton/Getty Images)

His comments further reinforce the message that long gone are the days when the club will spend big on players on high contracts. City have been successful in reducing the wage bill since Nigel Pearson's appointment just over two years ago but there is still work to be done in that department.

The recruitment strategy will follow in a similar vein to former Wycombe winger Anis Mehmeti who joined on transfer deadline day. City spent a fee believed to be around £1million for the 22-year-old having played 97 times for The Chairboys and has the potential to generate a significant sell-on price in the future.

The club will be in the market for a new central defender and a left-back. They missed out on a deal to sign Crystal Palace youngster Jake O'Brien, 21, in January having failed to agree on a loan fee with the Premier League side.

City could also go back in for left-back Jack Currie, who they also attempted to sign on deadline day. They reluctantly had to walk away from a deal to sign the 21-year-old in January with AFC Wimbledon chairman Mick Buckley claiming the club failed to meet their asking price.

A midfielder is also likely to be on the shortlist, especially given the uncertainty over Scott's future beyond the season. West Ham were linked with the £25million-rated prospect on Wednesday while Newcastle, Tottenham, Leicester and Wolves are all among the clubs interested.

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