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No one embodies the Bristol Sport model for Bristol City quite like Josh Brownhill.

Signed on a free transfer from Preston North End as a skinny but ambitious and determined 21-year-old, Brownhill has been carefully coached to become one of the best all-round midfielders in the Championship.

He represents exactly what Lee Johnson's idea of a perfect team is: professionalism, commitment, dynamism, tactical discipline combined with technical ability plus consistency in his performances on the field and how he conducts himself off it.

Like Joe Bryan before him, albeit without the Bristolian roots, Brownhill is the figurehead of what Bristol City's identity is under the Lansdown's ownership.

Unfortunately, that progression and development comes at a price and it looks increasingly apparent that this will be the midfielder's final season in BS3; it's just a matter if he leaves in this transfer window or the next.

For at least six months there has been strong Premier League interest in the 24-year-old, from newly-promoted Sheffield United, Brighton & Hove Albion, due to Graham Potter and recruitment chief Kyle Macauley's knowledge of the Championship and, most consistently, Burnley.

Against this backdrop has been the ticking timebomb that is his contract. Brownhill signed a new deal in December 2017 until the summer of 2021 and his Premier League suitors have been acutely aware of the situation and what's likely to entail.

Burnley first considered signing Brownhill last summer but, knowing his contract was likely to be run down, making a considerable bid then didn't make as much financial sense as it would now, or in six months time.

City would obviously like for Brownhill to further extend his contract beyond next summer, but that would only then be a millstone around his neck in terms of his medium-term future - significantly driving his value up and maybe causing clubs to look elsewhere.

Sheffield United also intensified their interest to the end of the window but Brownhill remained a City player. Since then more clubs have watched the 24-year-old and his form earlier this campaign and promotion to on-field captain has only gained further admirers.

Brownhill's on-field performances were superb around November as he hit a stunning late goal to see Cardiff City beaten in the Welsh capital, which came after the midfielder's 98th minute stab past Dillon Phillips to grab the win against Charlton Athletic.

Since then, Brownhill has often carried the City midfield with injuries and poor form afflicting the Robins' engine room. However Brownhill's performances have also dipped a little over the festive period with a bruised foot sustained in training not helping the player as he played through injury before eventually having to be left out of the team to recover.

'Browny' - one of Johnson's most trusted lieutenants - is currently out of the side because of that injury - and not because a transfer is near.

However, Bristol Live understands that talks are taking place with interested clubs, with one source even suggesting that a verbal offer of £6m has been mooted.

We understand however, that despite talks taking place, as it stands no transfer is close to happening. City would like to keep Brownhill until the summer if they can, with wide acceptance that one way or another he will be playing in the Premier League next season.

With just a year to go on his deal from June, a deal would be much easier for clubs to broker.

"Josh epitomises for me what I want Bristol City's identity to be. He's the first in and last out and every day he comes in and tries to get better and he's not going to have the same leadership skills as Ashley Williams at this stage of his career but he's more than happy to try and grow and learn them and he's a big belief buddy to his team-mates," said Johnson of his protege in November.

"He's very well respected by his teammates."

However, it cannot be ruled out that a Premier League side takes the plunge early and tests City's fortitude with a higher bid - and that a deal may even be struck should the Robins see the money as better spent elsewhere.

It's easy to see why Brownhill would be such an enticing option for a club like Burnley: from an economic point of view he would be affordable while offering considerable resale potential; a from a football sense, a multi-skilled, dedicated professional who's shown a commitment to learning and being a team player.

Sean Dyche has shown a willingness to mine the Championship for transfers with Chris Wood, Ben Gibson, Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick all signed from the second tier for significant fees.

(Image: Dougie Allward/JMP)

It's also impossible to ignore the fact that Burnley is in his native north west and having spent three years away from home, with Brownhill from a close-knit family, it would be understandable why a return would be appealing.

City could yet recall Wales international Joe Morrell to plug any gap or take or bring in another player such as the recently recalled Connor Gallagher at Chelsea and spend the windfall on a high-calibre forward.

There is still two weeks to go and while no move is imminent, the final days of the January window will, as ever, be a very interesting watch.

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