Robins 'really happy' to keep Vyner after Wrexham bid

Bristol City are "really happy" they kept Zak Vyner this summer says chief executive Tom Rawcliffe, after rejecting an offer for the defender from Wrexham.

The newly-promoted Championship side made an offer for the 28-year-old towards the end of the window but it was turned down.

Vyner has been at the club since the age of 10 and is in the final year of his contract, which opens up the risk of losing him on a free transfer next summer.

"We're really happy we managed to keep Zak Vyner. Wrexham were in for him and I can understand the appeal of Wrexham and Hollywood money and everything else and the excitement," Rawcliffe told BBC Radio Bristol's Sound of the City.

"I think it shows the commitment to keeping the core of our squad which did so well last season, having that backing of the ownership that we don't have to accept any bid that comes in.

"Zak Vyner is a really integral part of our team and, as a man, is exactly the sort of person you want in that changing room and representing Bristol City."

Rawcliffe, who was made chief executive in July having previously been chief operating officer and chief financial officer, hopes talks can now move towards a new contract for the defender.

Similarly, goalkeeper Max O'Leary, winger Mark Sykes and attacking midfielder Anis Mehmeti are also all out of contract next summer.

"The conversations are important and they will be happening," Rawcliffe added.

Struber 'frustrated' on deadline day

While Bristol City brought in forward Emil Riis this summer, as one of five signings made, Rawcliffe said they were "close" to bringing another striker in but could not get a deal over the line leaving head coach Gerhard Struber "frustrated" on deadline day.

"That's the position [striker] Gerhard will tell you he was frustrated we didn't manage to recruit for," Rawcliffe said.

"We're happy with what we've got in the building. We had the backing of the ownership to see if we could try and get anything in that striking department.

"We did get close but we didn't quite get there."

Riis has scored twice in four Championship matches so far since arriving from Preston North End.

However, Sinclair Armstrong has gone 26 games without a goal, Fally Mayulu has not scored since August last year and Harry Cornick has only played 51 minutes in league football since the start of the last campaign.

Bringing in reinforcements in January is "quite high" on the list, Rawcliffe said.

"It's an area we've identified we're looking to improve. The boys in the squad have got to try and prove us wrong," he added.

Tom Rawcliffe joined Bristol City from AFC Wimbledon in 2021

Rawcliffe ruled out a major increase in the playing budget when he started in the role and owner Steve Lansdown has also stressed that there will be no changes to how the club is run.

While City significantly reduced their pre-tax losses by £18.9m in their last set of accounts from £22.2m down to £3.3m, Rawcliffe said that next summer there would not be a "free for all" for them to spend whatever they want on players due to how close they will be to complying with financial fair play rules.

Championship clubs have to keep losses under £39m over a rolling three-year period and while the sale of Alex Scott to Bournemouth in 2023 for a reported £25m has significantly boosted revenue, next summer marks the end of the three-year cycle so that money will no longer count.

"This year we have absolutely no worries, next year it will be a lot tighter. We do need to be mindful that once the Alex Scott sale drops off you're in [another] three-year cycle then," Rawcliffe said.

"We are constrained to some degree. That's why we've got to be careful looking forward and looking beyond this season as to what we can do."