Bristol City are closing in on an agreement to sign Aldershot midfielder Joshua Stokes.
BristolLive reports that the Robins are hoping to complete a deal to sign the attacking midfielder.
In doing so, the Robins will gain an advantage over some of their Championship opponents, having beaten Norwich City, Ipswich Town, and Sunderland to his signature, all of whom had been connected with the 19-year-old in recent weeks.
Previous reports said that Derby County, Charlton Athletic, and AFC Wimbledon were interested in signing him.
Bristol City are closing in on a deal for Jake Stokes.
According to BristolLive, the Robins have gained a competitive advantage by providing a clear path for youthful talent to advance to the first squad.
The fact that Stokes has the same representatives as new Robins signing Scott Twine is thought to have aided negotiations.
BristolLive also discusses the potential financials of the merger.
According to their claim, the Robins have reached an agreement with Aldershot for £250,000.
According to the article, even if the Robins agree to sign Stokes, he will not have an immediate effect at Ashton Gate.
Instead, he will be loaned back to the non-league team for the rest of the season.
Who is Joshua Stokes?
Josh Stokes is a 19-year-old midfielder who currently plays for non-league club Aldershot Town.
Aldershot Town is now tenth in the National League, which is one league lower than the EFL.
Stokes’ impressive achievements for the club this season, with the 19-year-old scoring 15 goals in 28 games across all competitions, have contributed significantly to their league position.
Three of those goals have come in the FA Cup, with Stokes starring in a 7-4 win over League Two side Swindon Town in the competition’s opening round.
Bristol City continues to have a busy window
If Bristol City completes this transaction, it will maintain the club’s tradition of having a very busy January window in terms of both arriving and exiting transfers.
Last week, for example, we learned that Andi Weimann was transferred to West Bromwich Albion, while Taylor Gardner-Hickman was sent the other way.
In addition, Burnley has lately switched young attacking potential Scott Twine from Hull City to Ashton Gate on loan.
All of this comes while the Robins are now well-placed in the Championship table.
Although 14th position does not look good on paper, it may not tell the whole story.
Indeed, the Robins are only four points outside the play-off places, with Coventry City in sixth place.
A win over Watford this weekend might propel the Robins as high as ninth in the league standings, depending on other results.
