Anis Mehmeti, Zak Vyner and Mark Sykes’ current Bristol City contracts are set to expire at the end of the Championship seasonAnis Mehmeti, Zak Vyner and Mark Sykes are entering the final year of their contracts at Bristol City(Image: EFL)

Tom Rawcliffe has provided an update on the contract situations of Anis Mehmeti, Zak Vyner, and Mark Sykes, with the Bristol City CEO confirming that conversations are ongoing between the club and the three players, and that “things are progressing.”

Each of Vyner, Mehmeti, and Sykes’ current deals at Ashton Gate are set to expire at the end of the current Championship campaign. While City technical director Brian Tinnion confirmed at last October’s fans forum that both Vyner and Mehmeti had been offered new contracts, Sykes’ future seems more unclear.

The Ireland international saw a one-year extension in his last agreement activated last February, but confirmed last month that he was yet to discuss his career beyond the end of the season with the Robins and also, therefore, had yet to be offered a new contract.

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Given the fact that, when fit, all three players have been regular fixtures of City’s starting line-up under the management of Gerhard Struber this term, there has been an appetite from both the Reds head coach and supporters to see the services of Vyner, Sykes, and Mehmeti retained.

Although nothing has been signed and announced at this stage, Rawcliffe insists conversations are well underway and is eager to update supporters once decisions are set in stone, whenever that may be.

Speaking to Robins TV ahead of Sunday’s defeat to Preston at Ashton Gate, Rawcliffe said, “I think that’s a completely understandable question. When anything is sorted and agreed, all being well, we’ll announce it in the correct manner.

“But look, conversations are going on at the minute. They’re positive, everything is amicable, and I don’t think it’s impacted the performances on the pitch of the three players you mentioned. We’re still working on it; I’d love to go back to the old days where you could sit and sort it out in a room for 45 minutes and get it done and agreed, but we’re not there.

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“There’s a lot of conversation back and forth, and things are progressing.”

Of course, decisions around the futures of Mehmeti, Vyner, and Sykes can be made up until, and beyond, the end of the season. The Robins’ more immediate focus is directed towards the January transfer window.

City have wasted little time before adding to their squad this winter, with the arrivals of both Ranel Young – who will link up with the Reds’ Under-21s – and Sam Morsy confirmed prior to Sunday’s defeat to Preston North End. Though Young is viewed as a more long-term prospect, Morsy was thrust straight into the fold as a second-half substitute against the Lilywhites at Ashton Gate.

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Even with a handful of regular starters still sidelined by injury, the bulk of Struber’s squad looks equipped to be competitive in the race for the play-off positions. However, the Robins boss has made no secret of his aim to add another attacking player to his ranks before the month is out.

Such a view is shared by the hierarchy above Struber at the High Performance Centre, and while Rawcliffe has confirmed discussions have begun, he has emphasised that “nothing’s done until it’s done.”

“In general, you want to end the window in a stronger position than you started it,” City’s CEO explained. “But if I were going to go into more detail, I don’t think it’s any secret that we’re looking for a striker.

“Positive conversations are being had, but nothing’s done until it’s done, and we won’t announce anything until it’s ready to be announced.”

OPINION

READ MORE: Bristol City miss chance to climb back into play-off places as Reds beaten by Preston North End