The prospect of Chris Martin being presented with the new Bristol City home shirt isn’t one Robins fans were anticipating, well, just 24 hours ago but one supporters are beginning to warm to the idea of.
Martin is expected to be unveiled at Ashton Gate before the weekend and will become Dean Holden’s second summer signing after undertaking a medical in BS3 on Thursday afternoon.
The Scotland international will join on a free transfer, after his release at Derby County, and follows midfielder Joe Williams as a new face in the City squad with the first competitive fixture just around the corner.
Martin forms a starting striker quartet alongside Nahki Wells, Famara Diedhiou and Andi Weimann – which more than likely means Antoine Semenyo could be set for another loan – however, it’s the second name on the list that has City fans slightly worried.
Diedhiou remains locked in contract talks, a situation that has been the case since last summer, with the Senegalese a free agent by July 2021, and the club in a delicate situation surrounding last season’s top scorer.
Reigning Player of the Season Diedhiou may not be willing to sign a new deal, knowing he’ll become an appealing free agent in less than 12 months, but from City’s point of view that means no transfer return on their £5.3m investment in 2017 plus four seasons of wages.
As the closing of the international transfer deadline on October 5 draws ever nearer, City face a decision over whether to take the hit, and keep Diedhiou for the season hoping he fires them into promotion contention and maybe is convinced to stay. The risk being that he then leaves for nothing.
Or, alternatively, force through a sale to recoup something for the 27-year-old, and then have to worry about filling the goalscoring void with Diedhiou scoring 14 goals in 44 games across all competitions in 2019/20.
In that context, Martin’s arrival has, unsurprisingly, led to some considering him a replacement for City’s No9; the Scot is physical and good in the air and is a strong back-to-goal striker who creates space and chances for others.
But, as it stands, Diedhiou remains a Robins player and the club are hopeful he will commit his future beyond 2021 - it's interesting that the wave of speculation emanating from Turkey has almost disappeared.
After all, if Holden is committed to a 3-5-2, he cannot operate with three strikers or with one classic frontman like Diedhiou. Four strikers, with two hold-up players would make a lot of sense.
Here’s a selection of the reaction across social media to the news that Martin is poised to sign …
