Exclusive: Bristol City star has release clause with Premier League interest growing Burnley, Sheffield United and Leicester City leading the chase for Robins captain. Bristol City's Josh Brownhill has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent days and there remains some doubt over whether the dynamic midfielder will remain at Ashton Gate this window. That is partly because - Bristol Live can reveal - that Brownhill has a release clause in his contract. We understand that the clause allows Brownhill to depart Ashton Gate in the summer for a fixed fee of around £7m and was included when he extended his Robins contract in December 2017. Brownhill joined the Robins on a free transfer after leaving Preston and has progressed nicely over the last few years in BS3. And Premier League interest is swelling around the key City player, with clubs in the top six tracking the former Preston man. However the escape clause only applies to this coming summer. It means, that almost certainly Brownhill is heading to the English top tier in the next few months due to the top level interest in him, if he so chooses. With their hands tied, the club would have to let Brownhill leave at the end of the summer, while any offers above the release clause figure subjected before then will be considered. Bristol City are braced for late interest in the 24-year-old central midfielder this window - and it could mean that City accept an offer that is deemed way above what they would get in the summer. Brownhill has scored five goals in the league this season and is widely seen as someone who could be the next Jordan Henderson by many people within the game. The all-action midfielder can play a number of different positions, finishes well, can play a defensive role and his work off the ball is recognised as an outstanding part of his game. Coupled to that is that Brownhill is now the club captain at just 24, following Bailey Wright leaving Bristol City to join Sunderland on loan. The endorsement shows just how highly the midfielder is rated in BS3, with his exemplary attitude on and off the pitch of great interest to clubs in the top tier. Bristol Live understands that there are Premier League teams who may bid later this window to beat the rush for Brownhill who will be available for a knockdown price in six months. A figure of around £8-10m may be very tempting for the Robins, who would have to carefully weigh up whether to cash in on a top talent like Brownhill now to maximise the price they can get for him - or take less money and retain the key midfielder in their race for the play-offs. Tied in, is whether City could possibly use that money to reinforce their front-line: an extra £8m to spend could even be used to land a top forward this month. However, there remains the chance that Brownhill may yet remain. And indeed Lee Johnson said only last week that he doesn't see any big sales before the deadline on January 31. "There's always going to be speculation about our players because we've got a young side and any Premier League side will be looking at Championship players that are under 23 or 24," Johnson said. "You can never say never in football but I don't envisage any big sales." Brownhill himself remains dedicated to the Robins and is recognised within the club as a model professional and integral part of Johnson's squad. A big 10 days of the transfer window are coming up. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...s/exclusive-bristol-city-star-release-3762059
Seems a natural deal Burnley's Nahki Wells for Josh Brownhill plus £3m and we are all happy I think. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/burnley-recall-bristol-city-target-3761618
because there is a clause no reason to sell at that unless the player wants to go! Burnley may say heres £7m now or in the summer but another team could come in and say here is £10m! Nahki has 14 goals!
If the player has a buy out clause at say £7m no one will pay more. If club A bid £7m, BCFC have to sell if player wants to go, even if club B offers £10m the player can choose to go to club A. if you have £10M you would trigger clause at £7m and use additional £3m to "persuade" player to join.
We understand that the clause allows Brownhill to depart Ashton Gate in the summer for a fixed fee of around £7m and was included when he extended his Robins contract in December 2017.
Wells coming would be a good option, but do we value him at £4m? Does a player plus cash deal trigger the clause? I didn’t think it did.
I think that all transfers are a lot more complicated than just what is the fee. Is Wells worth £4M, with the lack of forwards on the market who knows. He will be on Prem wages at Burnley, so do we pay £4m, Burnley pay up some of his contract so he will take a wage cut at BCFC so fits our wage structure so no resentment in squad. Better than us paying £3m but matching his wages so other strikers and players at BCFC feel under valued. Does player plus cash trigger clause, if clubs agree player worth £x but have to agree. As I say I think we have a simple view of just looking at the fee when it can be a lot more complicated with wages, signing on fees, players on big contracts having selling club pay them some money to move and take a wage cut etc. This is before we talk agents fees!!!!!!