Exclusive: Bristol City have a serious Championship rival in their bid to keep Joe Williams

Preston North End are among the Championship sides interested in signing midfielder Joe Williams, who is out of contract from Bristol City, Bristol Live understands, as they consider the Robins’ offer of a new deal.

Williams becomes a free agent next month as the four-year deal he signed in 2020 expires, but the Robins detailed in their retained list earlier this month that “discussions are ongoing” and the 27-year-old is taking time out the next step in his career.

The midfielder enjoyed his most consistent campaign for City under Liam Manning with a string of impressive displays and his 3,077 minutes on the pitch were his most in a red and white shirt after his first two seasons in the West Country were affected by the hamstring. problems.

Williams’ stock is high, not just in BS3, and it’s understood Preston manager Ryan Lowe would like to bring his fellow Scouser to Deepdale, with the former Everton academy player his ideal of what he should be a championship midfielder.

Experienced Irish midfielder Alan Browne, who has been with Preston for the past 11 seasons and made 43 appearances last term, is nearing the end of his contract at the club despite being offered an extension.

City believe they have made Williams a competitive offer, recognizing his position in the squad and his importance to the team going forward, but other factors could come into their decision-making as he enters his peak years as a footballer.

The lure of a return to his native North West could prove an attractive lure for Williams after spending the past four years in the West Country.

With City adding Max Bird to midfield, competition should be increased next term as Jason Knight has proven his excellence in this area, Taylor Gardner-Hickman is now settled in a central role and teenager Adam Murphy he could also enter the fray. how is he doing in the pre-season.

That said, with Matty James moving on after his contract expired and Andy King now retired, the prospect of losing Williams would leave City further out of the Championship’s lore and out of the game.

A fearsome competitor, Williams is something of an anomaly in the City team given the way he constantly plays on the edge, although Manning noted that a big reason for his improvement was how he channeled his emotions in the right way.

Speaking towards the end of last season, the City head coach was more than aware that City would not be alone in their bid to sign Williams, but the Robins are in a strong position given their familiarity with the midfielder and his clear improvement and progress which he did. in the last six months.

“You just have to see how he does,” Manning said. “I think anyone who performs at that level will have interest and demand, but sitting with Joe, he’s pretty clear about the fact that he knows how he’s treated, how he’s coached and he sees what we’re trying to do. Right now, I think it’s a good place for him.”

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