‘A deal that will suit all parties’ – Bristol City enter race for 10-goal ace: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Bristol City are already starting to gear up their transfer business as they look to get their rebuild under Nigel Pearson underway this summer.

The Robins will be needing to address their options upfront this summer, and they have already allowed forward Famara Diedhiou to leave the club. He is someone that they will have to replace in the transfer market to maintain both the physical presence he provided and his goal scoring abilities.

According to the latest report from Bristol Live, the Robins are now ready to enter the race with Middlesbrough to sign Rotherham United striker Michael Smith this summer.

The forward has only got a year left on his current deal with the Millers and now Bristol City could test their resolve on him after he scored ten goals in 44 games this term.

With Bristol City interested in Smith, we asked our FLW writers whether they felt he would be a good signing or not for the Robins…

Ben Wignall

It wouldn’t be a fashionable signing but Bristol City need a physical presence as an option following the departure of Famara Diedhiou and Smith probably wouldn’t be that expensive either.

With seven aerial duels won per game last season, Smith was second only to Cardiff’s Kieffer Moore in that stat in the whole Championship, which shows how dominant he can be if the team he’s playing in decides to go direct.

Smith’s career does read slightly like a journeyman but the fact he netted 10 league goals last season in Rotherham’s side is impressive and he could forge a little and large partnership with Nahki Wells if Nigel Pearson decided to go down the two striker formation route.

There could be better and younger options out there when it comes to target men but they’ll also be pricier – Smith will be able to do a job for the Robins and I do believe it would be a good signing.

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Toby Wilding

I could see this being a decent signing for Bristol City if they are able to get it done.

With the departure of Famara Diedhiou, and the fact that the Robins struggled for goals last season – with 46 in 46 league games – it does seem as though they will need to add some attacking firepower to their ranks this summer.

That it something that Smith may be able to offer them, with his return of ten goals in a side that ultimately suffered relegation suggesting that he is capable of making an impact in the Championship, particularly if Bristol City are able to push up the table and improve the supply to him next season.

The physicality that Smith has means he could also fill the void left by Diedhiou, and following Rotherham’s relegation from the Championship, he could be affordable for Bristol City as well, meaning this does seem to be well worth considering for those in charge at Ashton Gate.

Phil Spencer

I think that this would be a really smart move for Bristol City.

The Robins will be desperate to sign a new striker this summer following the departure of Famara Diedhiou and I can’t think of a better like for like replacement in the EFL.

Funds will be limited at Ashton Gate and given that Smith has just one year left on his deal with Rotherham I think that he’d be available for a relatively modest fee.

Rotherham will not want to lose the player but if Bristol City do offer him a route back into the Championship then I think that this is a deal that will suit all parties.