Bristol Live understands Turkish club Goztepe hold an interest in Bristol City forward Sinclair ArmstrongBristol City forward Sinclair Armstrong has been linked with a transfer away from Ashton Gate(Image: EFL)

Bristol City are not actively looking to lose Sinclair Armstrong amid transfer interest from Goztepe, Bristol Live understands, with the Robins forward linked with a late move away from Ashton Gate.

Initial reports from Turkey have suggested the Super Lig side are targeting the Ireland international ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline, with Sky Sports since suggesting a bid of £868,000 is currently being considered by the Reds.

While Bristol Live understands Goztepe’s interest is genuine, the Reds are not actively looking to sanction Armstrong’s departure, particularly given the fact they would be unable to sign a replacement with the summer transfer window shut in England. Therefore, a deal would need to be agreed on terms suited to them for a move to be completed before the Turkish transfer window closes.

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Armstrong joined the Robins from Queens Park Rangers last summer and made 38 appearances for City in all competitions in his first season at Ashton Gate. In total, the 22-year-old scored three goals, the last of which came against Plymouth Argyle in November, as Liam Manning’s side finished sixth in the Championship.

Having started the season as the Robins’ first-choice number nine, Armstrong fell behind Nahki Wells in Manning’s pecking order as the campaign wore on, starting just three of City’s final 10 matches.

Under the management of Gerhard Struber this term, the Ireland international is yet to start a league game, with Emil Riis – who joined City this summer upon the expiry of his contract with Preston – the Austrian’s preferred option at the top end of the pitch.

Leading into the September international break, the 22-year-old’s only competitive start has come in the Reds’ Carabao Cup defeat to Fulham, whilst the forward has only played a combined 50 minutes over the course of City’s opening four Championship matches.

City themselves were in the market for a forward in the final days of the summer transfer window following the arrival of Neto Borges on loan from Middlesbrough. Ultimately, the Robins were unable to get a late deal over the line and with Sam Bell’s loan move to Wycombe Wanderers confirmed on transfer deadline day, Struber’s senior striking options, until January at least, consist of Riis, Armstrong, Fally Mayulu and Harry Cornick.

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Although he has been by no means prolific in his time at Ashton Gate, Armstrong has played considerably more Championship football than both Cornick and Mayulu over the course of the last few seasons and if he was allowed to depart BS3, it would leave the Reds short of bodies up front.

Of course, the free-agent market remains an avenue the Robins could explore if they were to lose any of their striking options while transfer windows elsewhere in the world remain open, but so far, there has been nothing to suggest that is an option Struber’s side are considering.

Last season, Goztepe finished eighth in the Turkish Super Lig and Stanimir Stoilov’s side have started the new campaign on the front foot. After four games, they sit third in the table, behind only Galatasaray and Trabzonspor, having won two and drawn two matches – the same record as City.

Goztepe reportedly view Armstrong as a potential replacement for forward Romulo Cruz, who left Turkey earlier this summer to join Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.

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