Gerhard Struber explained that Bristol City were “close” to signing a new striker before their New Year’s Day win over PortsmouthBristol City boss Gerhard Struber is keen to bolster his squad in the winter transfer window(Image: Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)

Gerhard Struber is hoping to receive new information on Bristol City’s search for a striker today, with the Robins boss admitting his preference for the January transfer window would be to make permanent additions to his squad rather than loan signings.

The winter window officially opened on New Year’s Day, a day to remember for the Reds as they moved within a point of the play-off places with an impressive 5-0 win over Portsmouth at Ashton Gate, courtesy of goals from Adam Randell, Anis Mehmeti, Scott Twine, and a Sinclair Armstrong brace.

Ahead of City’s meeting with John Mousinho’s side, Struber had made no secret of his desire to add a new centre-forward to his ranks this month. Although he didn’t identify the player by name, the Robins head coach did suggest the club was “very close” to making such an addition.

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With Preston North End next to visit Ashton Gate on Sunday afternoon, any such deal will need to be completed quickly for the as-yet-unnamed forward to feature against the Lilywhites.

Naturally, Struber’s focus on New Year’s Day was directed primarily to Portsmouth, but the Austrian was hopeful that progress would have been made behind the scenes whilst his side impressed on the BS3 turf.

“I hope that, but I am not informed at the moment,” the head coach told Bristol Live when asked if progress had been made in the search for a striker. “But, of course, I hope that behind the doors in some offices they have had some calls and hopefully they [have] made some steps.

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“So I hope that. I hope that I get the one or other information tomorrow and then we look forward.”

Over the course of his first transfer window as City boss, Struber made five additions to his first team squad last summer.

Three of those signings were permanent deals as Randell, Emil Riis, and Joe Lumley penned extended contracts at Ashton Gate, while both Neto Borges and Radek Vitek arrived on loan from Middlesbrough and Manchester United, respectively.

Having previously steered relatively clear of the loan market under Nigel Pearson’s management, the Robins have shown a greater willingness to conduct temporary business in recent years, with each of Dire Mebude, Twine (on an initial basis), George Earthy, and now Borges and Vitek completing such moves.

Naturally, the Reds hierarchy’s goal will be to, where possible, permanently strengthen their squad over the course of the next month.

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However, further loan signings are not completely out of the question, with the success of Borges’ move evidence of the value such deals can hold.

“I would prefer, of course, a permanent deal,” Struber admitted. “This is also, I would say, a clear statement for commitment.

“At the same time, a really good example is Neto Borges; he is really committed here, he is really a player [who] fits my style of football and a really good character. I think to find a player on loan, on this level – like him – is not so easy, but we also search in this direction to bring the one or other player over this way.

“But when we would have a chance, in this budget frame where we are, then it would be also great if we could make a permanent deal.”

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