Bristol City have been dealt a transfer setback on the eve of transfer deadline day by a rival Championship side.

Liam Manning’s side are currently dealing with injuries within the camp in what’s been a frustrating start to both their 2024/25 Championship & EFL Cup campaigns.

The Robins suffered an early EFL Cup exit at the hands of Mark Robins’ Coventry City and have also won just one of their first three Championship matches which came in dramatic circumstances against Millwall.

However, despite a possibility of further arrivals at Ashton Gate, their quest to raid a rival Championship side has been hit with a firm knock-back.

Bristol City knocked back in Darling approach

As reported by journalist Pete O’Rourke, Bristol City have been knocked back in their quest to sign Swansea City defender Harry Darling.

Luke Williams’ side have quickly shut down a potential summer exit for Darling, though there has been no confirmation as to whether it was an approach only or whether a transfer offer was made by Bristol City which was since rejected.

With the transfer window concluding on Friday evening, Bristol City are running out of time if they want to secure another centre-back at the Championship side before Saturday’s trip to newly-promoted Derby County.

How has he fared so far?

The 25-year-old missed Swansea’s EFL Cup matches against both Gillingham and Wycombe Wanderers by being an unused substitute.

However, Darling has featured in all three of Swansea’s league matches so far this season, helping to keep a clean sheet during a 3-0 victory against Cardiff City.

During the previous season, Darling was also ever-present for the Swans, scoring three goals in 40 appearances in all competitions and helping to keep ten clean sheets in total, averaging one every four games.

With Darling being at the heart of the Swansea City defence this season, it isn’t likely to have come as a surprise that Bristol City’s attempts to land the defender have been shut down by the Swans before Friday’s deadline.