Zak Vyner played every minute of competitive football on offer at Bristol City last seasonZak Vyner is a product of the Bristol City academy(Image: Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

K.A.A. Gent hold an interest in Bristol City defender Zak Vyner, Bristol Live understands, with the academy graduate set to enter the final year of his contract at Ashton Gate this summer.

It is understood that the Belgian top-flight club, who finished sixth in the Jupiler Pro League last season, are admirers of the 28-year-old who was an ever-present last season as the Robins ended their 17-year wait for a top six Championship finish.

Vyner was one of three City players to play every minute of Championship football on offer under Liam Manning last term, alongside Reds skipper Jason Knight and first-choice goalkeeper Max O’Leary. He also played the full 90 minutes against both Coventry City and Wolves in the Carabao and FA Cup respectively.

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Having come through the Robins’ youth system, Vyner was handed his first-team debut by Lee Johnson in a 2-0 win over MK Dons in February 2016.

The then 18-year-old started in defence at right-back next to Aden Flint as a brace from Jonathan Kodjia secured all three points for City.

Four separate loan spells with Accrington Stanley, Plymouth Argyle, Rotherham United and Aberdeen followed, before the versatile defender forced his way into the first team on a consistent basis, becoming a regular starter under the management of both Dean Holden and Nigel Pearson in the 2020/21 campaign.

In total, the academy graduate has made 234 appearances for City in all competitions, scoring four goals.

After reportedly catching the eye of Luton Town, Southampton and Rangers early in the 2023/24 season, Vyner put pen to paper on a new three-year deal at Ashton Gate two years ago, which is due to run until next summer.

The 28-year-old is one of a number of first-team regulars due to enter the final year of his agreement in BS3, including Anis Mehmeti, Mark Sykes, Max O’Leary, Haydon Roberts and Sam Bell.

The Reds have already moved to tie down fellow academy graduate Cam Pring and former Manchester United prospect George Tanner this summer, with both defenders penning new three-year deals prior to the departure of Manning.

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Should Vyner not sign a contract extension, this summer will likely represent the Robins’ last opportunity to secure a reasonable fee for his services, with the 28-year-old currently free to walk away for nothing in 12 months’ time.

Despite lacking depth at the top end of the pitch, particularly after the departure of Nahki Wells, whose exit was confirmed earlier this week, Gerhard Struber’s side are well stocked in the centre of defence.

Rob Atkinson has seen his contract in the West Country extended after an impressive loan spell with Portsmouth last season, the Reds hold an option to extend Rob Dickie’s contract beyond next summer and Luke McNally impressed in his first season in red and white before picking up a knee injury in February.

On top of that, young prospects Jamie Knight-Lebel and Josh Campbell-Slowey are highly thought of at the HPC while Pring, Tanner and Haydon Roberts are all capable of playing in a more central role, as demonstrated last season.

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