Bristol City

Bristol City in talks over permanent deal for Aston Villa defender

The Birmingham Mail reports that Bristol City are in discussions with Aston Villa over a permanent deal to sign defender Nathan Baker. The signings of John Terry and Chris Samba at Villa Park appears to have nudged the 26-year-old down the pecking order. The centre back spent time on loan at Ashton Gate in the 2015/16 campaign.

Should the player pass a medical then the deal should go through, with the player himself struggling with an injury sustained in a pre-season friendly earlier this month. Steve Bruce seems content for Baker to leave the club, especially with the defensive aspect of his squad now looking incredibly strong on paper.

Nevertheless, allowing Baker to leave it still something of a surprise. He is the only left-footed centre back on the books and Bruce had been touted as playing a three at the back system. James Chester and ex-Chelsea captain Terry are expectant to be two starting defenders, but a third is up for grabs, unless they stick with a flat back four for now.

Baker came through the ranks at Aston Villa, making over 100 appearances for the first-team in both Premier League and Championship. He had loan spells with Lincoln City and Millwall before testing himself with the Robins in 2015. He would play 38 times in that campaign and he is clearly still held in high regard by the club from those days.

Even if the deal goes through in the coming days, Baker will be forced to sit out the opening day of the season, even if he is declared fit. This is because of the red card he collected on the final day of last season against promoted Brighton & Hove Albion.

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