Matty Taylor to swap Bristol Rovers for Bristol City in shock switch
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While it may not be a huge day for transfer deals on Deadline Day in the Bristol area, there’s one move which looks set to go ahead – and it’s a highly controversial one.
Matty Taylor is poised to leave Rovers for City, and in doing so will become the first player to move directly from blue and white to red in over 30 years.
And our traders reckon it’s a done deal, and aren’t offering a price on the switch going ahead.
According to the Bristol Post, the Robins have launched an undisclosed offer for the 26-year-old, who has been firing in the goals for Rovers this term.
The striker began his career at Oxford United, but dropped out of the Football League to join North Leigh.
The drop down proved to be a springboard back into the limelight, after a stunning return of 80 goals in just two seasons with the Non-League outfit.
That promped National League giants Forest Green to snap Taylor up in 2011, and he continued to hit the back of the net during three seasons in Gloucestershire.
Bristol Rovers came calling in 2014, and his 19 goals proved instrumental in ensuring the Pirates returned to the Football League in 2015.
But it was his 27 goals in League Two last season which really caught the eye, and lead Rovers to an incredible second-successive promotion.
Was Taylor daunted by the prospect of facing the likes of former Premier League clubs like Sheffield United and Bolton Wanderers? Not a chance.
The striker has bagged 16 league goals this term, and is well on course to break the 20 barrier.
But this could be his last hurrah with Rovers. The forward was set to leave last summer on a free, only to sign a new deal – but one which included a release clause.
And it’s that clause with Championship side City have reportedly activated as Taylor looks set to become the first player to move directly from Roves to City since Trevor Morgan in 1987.
The Robins are in desperate need of a boost, having lost a club-record eight straight league games.
Tonight they host play-off chasing Sheffield Wednesday, and we make City 15/8 to finally end their rut.
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