Nathan Baker is a summer target for Bristol City's Championship rivals Coventry City, according to reports.
Coventry Live report that the 30-year-old is among the defensive options being considering by Mark Robins following his release by the Robins after a season plagued by injury.
Baker's only appearances of the campaign were in City's final three matches - Luton, Millwall and Brentford - after he had sustained a hamstring injury against former club Aston Villa in pre-season.
That lack of action, coupled with his advancing years meant Nigel Pearson's decision over whether to retain him or not was a largely straightforward one.
There has never been any question of Baker's talent or ability at Championship level, as when fit he's among the division's best orthodox defenders, but durability has been a constant problem.
Baker signed for City on a permanent deal in 2017 from Villa, having emerged through the club's academy, but in his three seasons leading up to 2020/21 made 34, 12 and 33 Championship starts, and a nagging trend of being unable to complete 90 minutes.
Coaches have cited his front-foot style of defending as part of the problem, with Baker's desire to always attack the ball and puthis body on the line to make tackles, blocks as the first point of defence leading to injury.
Coventry are in the market for a centre-back due to Leo Ostigard’s loan return to Brighton and Baker would represent a straightforward replacement who should be able to make a seamless transition into the first-team.
However, the former England Under-21 international's injury record over the last 12 months and before then is also a red flag that could delay any transfer.
Bristol Live understands that Baker, like so many free agents in the Championship, is having to significantly lower his wage expectations due to the financial impact of Covid-19 across the EFL.
The salaries that free agents were able to command prior to the pandemic are no longer a reality with teams have to cut budgets in the wake of such a sustained period of time with minimal revenues.
