Why Maynard Should Stick With Bristol City

Whilst there is little transfer movement at Gresty Road at the moment, there is one transfer saga worth keeping a keen eye on this summer - that of Nicky Maynard.

After seeming to stall on a new contract at Bristol City this summer, with just 12 months remaining on his current deal, today it's been confirmed that the Robins have rejected a bid for the striker, believed to be from Championship rivals Leicester City, who were recently linked with a £2million bid.

So, why does this have anything to do with us having already pocketed more than £2million from Maynard's initial sale? Well, a big matter of a sell-on clause. With the Alex set to take in the region of 20% of any profit Bristol City make on Maynard, it's a transfer that could make or break our own summer.

Dario has already hinted that the club are sitting tight and waiting to see if any former players are going to net us a windfall this summer, with Michael O'Connor also hotly tipped for a move from Scunthorpe. However, what we won't be banking on is a quick fire sale from Bristol City, who will no doubt be get feeling uneasy over Maynard's future, nor would it be nice to see Maynard run his contract down and move on for nothing next summer.

I think it is safe to say however that City are in no hurry to let their star striker go without a fight and they, as much as us, will be hoping to milk every penny they can get if they cannot sign Maynard to a new deal.

Like many Alex fans, I've watched Maynard's post-Alex career keenly. It's always great to see the ex-academy lads climb to the top and Maynard's success in the Championship has surprised no Alex fans. He bed himself in well in his first season down in the South West with 21 goals in 45 games.

Injury however ruined his year last season, forcing him to miss the first six months and although he still managed six goals in 13 appearances, talk of a move to the Premiership will probably be put on hold for another six months at least.

There is certainly no reason why he won't see the Premiership. With a goal ratio of almost one in two throughout his career, he's undoubtedly one of the best outside the Premiership and there'll be no shortage of top division clubs keeping an eye out for once he proves his fitness.

If I was Dario, I'd certainly be advising Maynard not to rush his next move - partly from a selfish Crewe Alex stance and partly from a common sense stance. One good season next season and the chances are he'll be in the Premiership next season, whether that's with Bristol City or through a transfer. A move to another Championship club at this stage is surely one step sideways.

You'd hope as a Crewe Alex youngster who signed extended deals during his time here his head will be firmly screwed on. Running down the remainder of his contract to seek a move next summer is a tactic I wouldn't have thought Dario would be drilling into his academy youngsters, and certainly not if there's upwards of £500,000 from sell-on fees riding on it.

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