Transfer window 'balance' not right, says Struber

Bristol City do not have the right "balance" in their transfer activity this January, says head coach Gerhard Struber.

The Robins have seen their standout playmaker and top scorer Anis Mehmeti leave for Championship rivals Ipswich on Friday, while Max O'Leary, Haydon Roberts, Yu Hirakawa and Harry Cornick have also departed in recent days.

Only Sam Morsy and George Earthy have been brought in, the latter on loan, with a deal for Middlesbrough's Delano Burgzorg coming close but falling through.

"We have eight outgoings and two players in - the balance is not on the right level," Struber told BBC Radio Bristol.

"Everyone knows that. We have to do something. The time is close right now. It's a big responsibility, not only for me, much more from the management."

Struber took over in the summer and had guided Bristol City to a top-six position at Christmas but they have fallen off the pace after three defeats in their past five games.

He previously said he was not in the "driving seat" when it came to transfers but added they need a "deeper roster" especially considering the number of injuries they suffered during November and December.

Yet he would not make any guarantees about incoming signings in the coming days, although the Austrian has been open about his desire to bring in Sturm Graz's Slovenian international midfielder Tomi Horvat.

"The last three weeks we are really close to something but we don't finalise so right now we have exchanged with some players but I cannot promise something and I don't want to do it," Struber said.

The loss of Mehmeti to a rival is a blow for a side hoping to reach the top six again this campaign.

Yet he was out of contract this summer and had been offered a new deal.

Mehmeti signed from League One club Wycombe in 2023 and has developed considerably in the past two seasons, scoring nine goals in 31 appearances this season, as well as 12 during 2024-25.

Struber said Bristol City need to be better at having a replacement lined up for when players like the 25-year-old move on.

"When we develop a player so quick we should have, on the other side, a pipeline of players they jump in, like a replacement," he said.

"We have to deal now with this situation very professional[ly] and that's clear we have to bring a new player in on a same level."

Long-serving defender Zak Vyner, who came through the club's academy, is similarly out of contract this summer and Struber was again unable to say if he would be a Bristol City player for long.

Vyner suffered an ankle injury during their 2-0 loss to Ipswich on Tuesday and is due to be out for the next few weeks.

"We gave him a really good offer but it's more on himself in which direction he wants to go," Struber added.