Stoke City have submitted a bid for Bristol City winger Mark Sykes, Bristol Live understands, but the Robins are understood to have turned down the Potters' offer.

As first reported by Football League World, Mark Robins' side are believed to have seen a bid for for the Republic of Ireland winger rejected by the Reds.

Sykes joined the West Country club in the summer of 2022, signing an initial three-year deal that also gave City the option to extend his stay by an extra 12 months. As of the time of writing, that option is understood to not have yet been exercised.

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The versatile wideman had a reasonable start to the Championship season, starting eight of the Robins' first 14 league matches before picking up an injury that ruled him out for over two months as Liam Manning's side were beaten 2-1 by Sheffield United.

Having recovered from his fitness issue, the former Oxford United man impressed in his first start of 2025 against Sheffield Wednesday. Sykes assisted Nahki Wells' goal early in the second half and his cross led to Ross McCrorie's late equaliser at Hillsborough.

Following Saturday afternoon's win over Blackburn Rovers at Ashton Gate, Manning admitted that he was not aware of any interest from Stoke in the 27-year-old and insisted that he was keen to keep him in the West Country beyond the end of January.

"No, I literally didn't find out until I got my pre-media notes which had it on there," the 39-year-old insisted. "I've not heard anything, no.

"Yes," the City head coach continued when asked if the winger would be someone he was keen to keep. "He's done well. For me, he's done exactly what he's needed to do recently. I thought he was excellent the other night, for me, he gets us the point with the quality on the crosses."

Sky Sports' Anthony Joseph reported via X on Monday evening that Robins' side had submitted a bid for the winger, which Bristol Live understands to be the case. However, Bristol City are believed to have rejected the Potters' proposal.

With just a matter of days to go in the winter transfer window, Manning and his recruitment team are yet to make a senior addition to their playing squad, with the majority of movement seeing players depart BS3.

Rob Atkinson, Fally Mayulu and Kal Naismith have all completed loan moves to Portsmouth, Sturm Graz and Luton Town respectively and it is not yet clear whether or not anyone else will follow them out of the Ashton Gate exit door before the window closes on February 3.

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