Bristol City plotting FC Koln transfer raid for Leart Paqarda - he knows Gerhard Struber well | OneFootball

The Robins are looking to add further defensive depth ahead of Deadline Day

Bristol City are monitoring Leart Paqarada's situation at FC Koln ahead of the final days of the summer window as Gerhard Struber seeks further defensive depth at Ashton Gate.

That is according to a report from Bristol Live on Tuesday night, with the Robins looking to bolster a rearguard that has only conceded twice in the opening three Championship encounters against Sheffield United, Charlton Athletic and Derby County.

Their new Austrian boss made a return to the English second-tier this summer after previously working at the level with Barnsley between 2019 and 2020, and is looking to build on the club's play-off finish last campaign whilst still being able to very much call the crop of players at his disposal 'his own'.

The 48-year-old, who has impressed supporters during the early weeks of his tenure at Ashton Gate, has only made four new signings of his own ahead of next Monday's 7PM transfer deadline, with Yu Hirakawa's loan move from Machida Zelvia officially made permanent in pre-season.

And, in a bid to bring more bodies to the West Country in order to sustain their respectable early-season form, Struber is continuing to monitor the services of the Kosovan international, who he knows very well from their respective stints at the RheinEnergieSTADION.

Bristol City continuing to monitor the services of FC Koln defender Leart Paqarada

News of Struber potentially reuniting with the 30-time international was first made clear by German outlet, Kicker, at the end of last month, with it also being reported that Paqarada has less than a month to run on his contract in Nord-Rhine Westphalia, having signed a three-year pre-contract agreement with the club ahead of the 2022/23 season from St Pauli.

In a fresh update concerning this potential transfer move, Bristol Live claim that the Robins are aware of Paqarada's current situation with Koln, for whom he made 35 appearances for in all competitions last term as the club returned to the Bundesliga under Struber - who was sacked just days before their promotion was confirmed in May - and Lukas Kwasniok.

Relaying reports from Germany, the aforementioned report also outlines that Paqarada is currently training away from the first-team squad, and that there are options on the table for him to switch sides before Monday, which includes a move to either Bristol City or clubs in the 2.Bundesliga after not being selected in matchday squads against Mainz and Jahn Regensburg in the league and DFB Pokal.

It has been claimed that, whilst Struber and the Robins' hierarchy have been alerted by this scenario, no concrete offers have been placed at this moment in time.

With Paqarada being such an influential figure in 'Die Geißböcke's title-winning season last timeout, it would represent extremely smart business if Struber was able to convince his former colleague to move to BS3.

The Austrian will be aware, more than anyone, of the defensive and attacking qualities the Aachen-born man could bring to this Robins side after posting eight assists last term.

Left-back was also a problem position for City last season and is an area of concern when it comes to current depth and natural availability, especially after first-choice option, Cameron Pring, sustained an ankle injury in pre-season which could keep him sidelined for a total of 12 weeks.

Hirakawa and Ross McCrorie are also capable of filling the void when called upon, but it is clear that reinforecements are needed in this area of the pitch, which makes a move for Paqarada, seemingly on a cut-price deal given his current predicament, a no-brainer for all involved.