Bristol Live understands that Emil Riis is close to a permanent switch away from Bristol City on deadline day
Bristol City striker Emil Riis seems to be set to depart Ashton Gate on deadline day(Image: Photo by Leila Coker/Getty Images)
Emil Riis is closing in on a deadline day Bristol City exit, Bristol Live understands, with the Robins ahead edging nearer to a permanent transfer to Leicester City.
Michael Skubala’s aspect have till 11:00 this night to full any last-minute enterprise, and it seems to be doubtless that the Dane’s time at Ashton Gate will come to a close earlier than that deadline, with a late transfer to the King Power Stadium understood to be close.
Riis, who joined the Reds following the expiry of his contract at Preston North End final summer time, has seen his minutes restricted in south Bristol to date this season. Now, in accordance to Sky Sports, he has been permitted to journey to Leicester to bear a medical with the Foxes.
The ahead’s seemingly imminent departure comes after the arrivals of Plymouth Argyle’s Lorent Tolaj, Leyton Orient’s Dom Ballard and – most just lately – former Luton Town striker Elijah Adebayo. Such additions have elevated the competitors for locations on the high finish of the pitch, in south Bristol.
After a disrupted pre-season, Riis featured as a second-half substitute in City’s first-round Carabao Cup defeat to Walsall and Championship-opener in opposition to Millwall, however remained unused as Skubala’s aspect drew with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s just a little over per week in the past.
The 28-year-old was then omitted from the Robins’ matchday squad in its entirety in opposition to Portsmouth final weekend, alongside fellow ahead Sam Bell – who signed a brand new three-year deal this summer time.
After the full-time whistle, Skubala confirmed the pair’s absence was the results of a range determination, somewhat than an harm or fitness-related points.
“It’s just tactical,” the City boss informed Bristol Live on Saturday afternoon. “All the decisions today are tactical. The group’s strong and the group’s got depth. At the minute, it’s got depth because we haven’t got many injuries.
“We’ve received Luke McNally out – who’s trying good and coming again – however you noticed Pringy again already. When we get to November and December, we’re going to want all people.”
Riis’ apparent fall down the pecking order at Ashton Gate comes after a solid, if not remarkable, sole season on City’s books.
Under the administration of Gerhard Struber and interim boss Roy Hodgson, the Danish striker made 47 appearances in all competitions final time period, scoring 12 targets – together with an FA Cup hat-trick in opposition to Watford – and registering three assists on his method to securing the Robins’ golden boot.
During Hodgson’s spell, the previous Preston ahead’s minutes have been extra restricted, with Delano Burgzorg seemingly the 79-year-old’s most well-liked possibility on the high finish of the pitch. Riis made 4 begins underneath the previous England boss, enjoying simply 33 minutes over the course of the ultimate three video games of the time period.
The Dane’s start against Norwich City, back in April, now looks likely to be his final as a City player. Should his move to the King Power Stadium be completed as expected, Riis will become the fifth player sold by the Robins this summer, after Sinclair Armstrong, Ross McCrorie, Joe Lumley and Max Bird.
At the time of writing, 10 players have moved the other way into Ashton Gate over the course of the transfer window. The aforementioned striking trio have been joined in BS3 by each of Sam Tickle, Sam Greenwood, Gibson Yah, Jed Wallace, Lisav Eissat, Brad Collins and Rio Cardines.
Skubala hasn’t shut the door on additional potential incomings earlier than this night’s switch deadline, however the Reds boss insists City aren’t determined to add to their squad within the remaining hours of the window.