Bristol City set to beat Sunderland, Norwich and Ipswich in transfer race | OneFootball

Bristol City are closing in on a deal to sign Aldershot midfielder Josh Stokes.

That is according to BristolLive, who report that the Robins are hoping to conclude a deal to sign the attacking midfielder.

In doing so, the Robins will also be getting one over on some of their Championship rivals, beating Norwich City, Ipswich Town and Sunderland to his signature with all three having been linked with the 19-year-old in recent weeks.

Reports have previously also linked the likes of Derby County, Charlton Athletic and AFC Wimbledon with his signature.

Bristol City closing in on Jake Stokes deal.

The BristolLive report claims that the Robins have been able to steal a march on their rivals due to the fact that they can show a clear pathway into the first team for young talent at the club.

The fact that Stokes also shares the same representatives as new Robins' signing Scott Twine is also said to have aided discussions.

Elsewhere, BristolLive also discuss the potential finances behind the deal.

As per their report, the Robins have discussed a deal with Aldershot worth £250,000.

The report also reveals that if the Robins do agree the deal for Stokes, he will not have an immediate impact at Ashton Gate.

Instead, he will be loaned back to the non-league side for the remainder of the campaign.

Who is Josh Stokes?

As mentioned above, Josh Stokes is a 19-year-old midfielder currently playing his football for non-league side Aldershot Town.

Aldershot Town currently sit 10th in the National League - one division outside of the EFL.

Their league position is in no small part down to Stokes' fine performances for the club this season, though, with the 19-year-old having scored 15 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions.

Three of those goals have come in the FA Cup, with Stokes shining in a 7-4 victory over League Two side Swindon Town in the first round of the competition particularly.

Bristol City continue to have a busy window

If Bristol City do get this deal over the line, it continues the trend of the club having a rather busy January window both in terms of incoming and outgoings.

Last week, for example, we know that Andi Weimann was sent to West Bromwich Albion, with Taylor Gardner-Hickman coming the other way.

Elsewhere, exciting attacking talent Scott Twine has also arrived at the club recently, with Burnley switching his loan spell from Hull City to Ashton Gate.

All of this comes, of course, with the Robins well-placed in the Championship table as things stand.

Although 14th place does not look too good on paper, it does not perhaps tell the full story.

Indeed, the Robins are just four points off the play-off places and Coventry City in sixth place.

A win this weekend over Watford could take the Robins as high as eighth in the league standings, depending on results elsewhere.