Football
Exclusive: Zak Vyner Set to End 12-Year Bristol City Stay With Wrexham Move
Wrexham closing in on signing Bristol City defender Zak Vyner as talks of new contract stall. Championship clubs circling for 28-year-old as he enters final months of current deal. City fans sad to see academy product depart after 12-year association. Burgzorg loan deal looks promising for the club.
Preston North End v Bristol City - Sky Bet Championship by Rich Linley - CameraSport | Getty Images
Wrexham are closing in on the signing of Bristol City defender Zak Vyner, SportsBoom can reveal.
The Red Dragons have been long-term admirers of the Robins’ centre-back and had a seven-figure bid rejected in the summer ahead of their Championship campaign.
City have been trying to tie down the influential 28-year-old to a new deal in recent months, as exclusively reported by SportsBoom, but talks over an improved contract are understood to have stalled.
And as Vyner enters the final six months of his current contract at Ashton Gate, a number of Championship clubs are circling for his services.
It is understood that Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham are leading the race, which also includes the likes of Birmingham City, heading into the final days of the window.
Wrexham allowed Conor Coady to move to Charlton Athletic on loan earlier this week to make space for experienced Vyner to replace him in the squad.
Sources have told SportsBoom that the fee for the player is not at the same level as the rejected summer bid.
City were hopeful the academy product would put pen to paper if they were in the running for a play-off spot, but the club’s hierarchy do not want to lose him for free at the end of the season.
The Robins are just a point behind sixth-placed Wrexham, but it is understood the player sees progression to the Premier League a more likely option with the Welsh club.
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It will end a 12-year association for the player, who joined the club aged seven. After going to school and rising through the ranks with keeper Max O’Leary, City are set to end the window without both academy graduates.
Vyner has made over 250 appearances for the club, who lost out in the play-offs last term.
It has been a tough window for City fans, who saw last season’s top scorer Anis Mehmeti sold to promotion-chasing Ipswich Town.
However, it appears to be third-time lucky in the club's bid to sign Middlesbrough's Delano Burgzorg on loan.
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