Bristol City could lean on family link to solve Liam Manning issue after Barnsley reveal: View | OneFootball

Liam Manning is heading into his first summer transfer window in charge of Bristol City.

The 38-year-old arrived at Ashton Gate in November last year as the replacement for Nigel Pearson.

Manning was tasked with bringing in a new style and positive results at Ashton Gate. It was a mixed bag for the former Oxford United manager, as results were very up and down, which resulted in them not really achieving much in the second half of the season.

However, he guided the Robins to a respectable 11th-place finish, 11 points adrift of sixth-place Norwich City.

The task will now be for Manning and his staff to bridge that gap this summer with a view to reaching the play-offs next term.

To do that, it seems he is keen to strengthen his forward line this summer.

Liam Manning wants to sign a new striker this summer

The January window is a hard time to do business so this summer is Manning’s first real chance to make key changes to his squad and put his own stamp on the team.

The Bristol City boss believes he will be supported by the club’s board and is keen to add a new striker to his ranks.

Manning told BBC Radio Bristol: “I’ve got a number, but I’m scared to give it in case I’m held to it: we need a 10, we need a 9, and we need a winger, ultimately.

“In terms of depth, competition, we’ve got some really talented players in those areas already, but when you look at the balance of the group, the make-up, having different profiles is important, so they’re bits we’ll look to do.

“And the blend of people that are ready now versus potential. I think that’s the key to getting that right as well - we do need to add people who can go and score goals now, who have either had a taste for the level or have shown the level, whether that be in England or abroad, they’re able to hit the ground running, that’s the key bit. While also not going completely away from what we’re about as a group and what we’re trying to recruit.

“It’s challenging, the fees involved with that, so you still have to be smart, you still have to be clever, but in terms of what we want to do, it’s mainly top end.”

With Manning keen to bring in a new striker this summer, the club should be looking at Devante Cole, given the forward has just left Barnsley following the end of his contract.

Bristol City should look to sign Devante Cole after Barnsley exit

Manning has said that he is keen to see a striker join the club this summer.

There will be a few options under consideration by the Championship side but they should have their eyes on Cole, especially now that it has been confirmed he is leaving Barnsley following the end of his contract.

The 29-year-old has been with the Tykes since the summer of 2021 when he joined the club on a free transfer from Motherwell.

Cole got off to a slow start in his career with Barnsley but the last two seasons in League One have been very impressive for the forward.

In the 2022/23 campaign, he scored 15 goals in 45 league games as the Yorkshire side went all the way to the League One play-off final. Despite not getting promoted, Cole stuck around and had another stellar campaign, this time scoring 18 goals and recording three assists as he played in every single league game.

Cole could have had even more goals to his name this season, as the forward missed 17 big chances throughout the campaign but still finished with an impressive 20% goal conversion rate, as per Sofascore.com.

The forward may not have finished the season in his finest form but given he is leaving the Tykes as a free agent, he could be the ideal addition to slot into the squad alongside Nahki Wells and Tommy Conway.

There are likely to be a number of teams interested in the striker, but Bristol City may have a slight advantage, as the Championship side did have his dad, Andy Cole, on their books from 1992 to 1993.

The Robins gave his father the chance to play regular football and a platform to showcase his scoring ability.

Andy Cole's Ashton Gate spell earned him a move to Newcastle United, which would help him eventually join Manchester United, where he was part of a historic team.

Taking advantage of the Cole family connection could help them win a potential race for the departing Barnsley striker this summer and give Manning what he wants.