Bristol City are in advanced talks with Nathan Baker over a new contract, Bristol Live understands, just two days before the centre-back is due to leave the club on a free transfer.
The Robins published their retained list in May and Baker was one of the 11 first-team players listed who were to depart the club once their deal expires on June 30.
The centre-back made just three appearances for the club in 2020/21 after sustaining a hamstring injury last August and had little time to impress Nigel Pearson and convince the Robins manager he was worth a contract extension.
That's added to the constant injury issues that have blighted his five seasons with City, as while Baker's talent and ability at Championship level can't be denied, his ability to stay fit and complete 90 minutes has often been brought into question.
However, in a surprise u-turn the 30-year-old could now remain in BS3 with City opening talks over a new deal, although Baker is also able to speak to rival clubs as well given his expiring contract.
Pearson stated earlier this month that he would like to bring in two centre-backs this summer to bolster an area of the field in which Tomas Kalas, Taylor Moore and Robbie Cundy are his only senior specialists in the position, and the latter is yet to make a first-team appearance after two seasons on loan.
City have made a bid in excess of £1.4m for Oxford United's Rob Atkinson, and the centre-back remains on the agenda for the Robins, but Baker represents an quick and easy option to reinforce the defence.
As Pearson has noted, it's an "unusual" transfer window due to the pandemic with many players and agents yet to fully align their ambitions with what the financial reality is concerning most EFL clubs.
It may be that some players reduce personal demands as the window goes by, while some players may be made fresh offers later in the market as other targets fall by the wayside.
Baker would give Pearson a ready-made partner for Kalas, plus the addition of Dave Rennie as head of medical could help the 30-year-old in increasing his chances of staying fit enough for consistent selection.
