Jamie Paterson is happy to see more attacking firepower arrive at Ashton Gate - even if the competition for places heats up in the process.
Robins chief executive officer Mark Ashton has jetted out to Florida to join up with Lee Johnson’s squad at their training camp in Bradenton with transfer business very much on his mind.
Bristol Live understands Johnson is an admirer of young Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah who could be available on loan while a move for Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga looks unlikely with the 26-year-old commanding a whopping £15m price tag.
Paterson, however, is happy to hear Bristol City chiefs are working on bringing in fresh faces in to ensure a strong promotion push this season.
“We want to reach the Premier League and want to get the best players in,“ he told Bristol Live .
“We want to achieve that goal - we have been close a couple of times - and I think we are looking strong.
“The club are ready to move onto the next level , we are now considered one of the big hitters in the Championship so we have to go and prove that.”
Paterson reckons the trip Stateside has already proved a huge success with new Bristol City signings Dan Bentley, Tommy Rowe and Sammie Szmodics all settling in immediately.
“The new boys have settled in really well, it’s an easy changing room to come into," he added.
"It’s a very positive group, there are some great characters who help everyone integrate. They look like they are enjoying themselves.
“It’s a long flight, the weather isn’t what we are used to but that will help us when we return to England.
“I have never been this far for pre-season - normally it would be Portugal or Spain - but these kind of tours are all about getting to know people and team bonding so in that respect it’s been brilliant so far.”
