Bristol City are not alone in wanting to sign Leicester City midfielder Matty James on a free transfer with Championship rivals Cardiff City and Swansea City also coveting the 29-year-old.
As first reported by Bristol Live last month, James has been identified as a priority target by Robins manager Nigel Pearson as he looks to recruit a strong spine this summer.
James, who enjoyed an impressive loan at Coventry City in the second half of 2020/21, worked with Pearson at Leicester from 2012-2015 but is being released when his contract expires on June 30.
The Daily Mail now report that, along with City, Swansea and Cardiff are also pursuing his signature. Coventry are also keen to bring him back to the Midlands but are unlikely to be able to compete financially with all three clubs.
This week Pearson confirmed to Robins TV that he wants to make five signings this summer: two centre-backs, two central midfielders and one striker, however has been left frustrated by how slow the market is moving.
"There's a reluctance from a lot of people to do business, I think there's a re-calibration going on within the industry in terms of how agents see the financial aspects of doing deals," Pearson said.
"I want to build from the back. Simple. I think we're very blessed in the goalkeeping position. I'd like two centre-backs, I'd like two centre midfield players and I'd like somebody to stick the ball in the back of the net ... if you look at it like that, that's five players."
City's desire for James, and two central midfielders in total, also raises the likelihood that Pearson will look to make a sale in that area of the field.
The Robins have Han-Noah Massengo, Joe Williams, Adam Nagy, Tyreeq Bakinson and James Morton, all who play or can play in the holding role, and the addition of James would only further grow those options.
Pearson has revealed that City's transfer activity over the next two months will also be motivated by a desire to bring the club's wage bill down.
Interestingly, Swansea are also determined to sign midfielder Liam Walsh on a free transfer after the 23-year-old as released by City.
