Bristol City are likely to be in the market for further quality in the January window.placeholder image
Bristol City are likely to be in the market for further quality in the January window. | Getty Images
Football Manager 2026 has predicted how Bristol City’s January transfer activity could unfold
Bristol City may have lost their manager to a Championship rival over the summer, but it hasn’t stopped their pursuit of reaching the Premier League after last term’s play-off heartache.
The Ashton Gate outfit are fourth in the table heading into November and are experiencing one of their most productive starts to a campaign in years after recent victories over teams like Birmingham City, Southampton and Norwich City, who were all tipped to finish above the Cider Army in many people’s pre-season forecasts.
Bristol City, however, still have a long way to go if they are to return to the promised land of the top-flight for the first time since the days of Alan Dicks’ management back in 1980.
They’ll hope to try and utilise the January window to their advantage to try and propel their way to greater things. But are at a slight disadvantage in terms of budget when compared to sides like Birmingham, Wrexham and recently-relegated Ipswich Town among others.
With the release of Football Manager 26 fast approaching, we loaded up the Beta and simmed to the start of February to see whether it predicts Bristol City to get the reinforcements they need.
Bristol City sign Brighton prospect as five youth players depart
Football Manager 26 believes Bristol City will make a move for Brighton youngster Joe Knight in January. The 20-year-old is regarded as a rising talent in the Seagulls academy and has featured on the bench on some instances this term without yet making his league debut.
Elsewhere, the game also predicts that Luke Skinner will depart to Swansea for £165k, with Elijah Morrison, Zach Alli, Raphael Araoye, Billy Phillips and Joe Duncan all making loan moves to clubs in the National League or below.
Bristol City tipped to make bold move for former Newcastle United captain
Bristol City could also look to add experience to their squad in the January transfer window. Jamaal Lascelles is a player with excellent credentials in this division. He captained Newcastle United to the title under Rafa Benitez in 2016/17 and was included in the PFA Team of the Season in the process.
He’s made over 250 appearances for the Magpies across all competitions and was a vital part of both Benitez and Steve Bruce’s plans before the Saudi takeover. However, he’s also recently returned from an ACL injury and has only played 19 minutes of league football all season after falling behind Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar in the pecking order. Lascelles is likely to be on big wages. However, FM 26 deems this one possible with a six month loan being on the cards to help boost Gerhard Struber’s side in their promotion push.
Another joining on a six-month spell is Manchester United youngster Ashton Missin. The Halifax-born forward is yet to make his professional debut but has been playing at Under-18 level since 2022 and recently earned a new contract with the club.
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