Bristol City are now in advanced talks to complete the signing of free agent Ashley Williams after his contract with Everton expired in the summer, according to Football Insider.

After spending the previous campaign on loan with Stoke City in the second-tier, Marco Silva opted against offering the Welshman a new deal, leaving him free to move to a club that wanted him and it looks like the Robins have won the race.

According to the report, the 34-year-old is expected to complete his move to Ashton Gate within the next 48 hours, becoming their 13th signing of the summer in the process.

Having lost first-choice centre-back Adam Webster to Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, Lee Johnson has been on the prowel for reinforcements at the back, despite bringing in former loanee Tomas Kalas and Bath City's Robbie Cundy earlier in the window.

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During his time at the Bet365 Stadium last summer, Williams racked up 33 appearances, scoring one goal, five yellow cards and one red as the Potters flopped to a bottom-half finish.

Bristol City currently sit in seventh place in the Championship with four matches played as they look to challenge for promotion after narrowly missing out on the top-six in recent years.

The verdict

This is a signing that could go incredibly well but also disasterously.

There is no doubt that since Webster departed, Bristol City are perhaps lacking in a leading figure at the back but I do question whether Williams is the right choice.

His temperament has been an issue at times and he did not impress anywhere near as much as he expected to in the Championship last season either.