Bristol City See Second Dom Ballard Bid Rejected
Bristol City have seen a second offer rejected for Leyton Orient striker Dom Ballard.
The 21-year-old has become a leading target for the Robins, with Michael Skubala looking to strengthen his attacking options ahead of the new Championship campaign. A second bid has now been turned down, with Leyton Orient determined to keep hold of the forward.
Ballard impressed in League One last season, scoring 23 goals and adding five assists in 40 appearances. That form has placed him firmly on Bristol City’s radar, but Orient are understood to have rejected two bids and remain determined to keep him.
The striker is under contract until 2028, leaving Orient in a strong position as they assess interest from the Championship. Bristol City’s interest comes after a season in which they finished 12th in the Championship, having started strongly before falling away.
Adding another centre forward has become one of the priorities of the summer. Emil Riis is currently the only senior striker on the books at Ashton Gate, and he scored nine times in 44 Championship appearances last season. Ballard has been identified as a player who could add both immediate competition and longer-term upside.
Skubala will already know plenty about the forward from last season. Ballard scored against his title-winning Lincoln City side in April, although the Imps went on to win 2-1. That goal came during a campaign in which the former Southampton striker became one of League One’s standout attacking players.
The decision now facing Bristol City is whether to return with a third offer. Ballard would be stepping up a division if the move happened, but Orient’s long contract and firm stance mean the Robins may have to increase their bid significantly to make progress.
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