Bristol City ‘close’ to transfer breakthrough as Brighton & Wolves fired warning

Nigel Pearson says that Bristol City are closing in on two new signings but would not disclose their identity given the nature of transfer.

The Robins are hoping to conclude some early transfer business to help prepare them for next season. The 59-year-old will have money to spend this summer following the sale of Antoine Semenyo in January.

City have cut their cloth accordingly and have reduced the wage bill whilst remaining competitive and are now in a position to make a genuine push for promotion. Ross McCrorie and Joe Bryan have been linked with a move to Ashton Gate, with Pearson not ruling out a transfer for them.

Kevin Nisbet, Ben House and Regan Poole have since been spoken about but all three aren’t expected to make the move to the West Country.

Speaking to Geoff Twentyman on BBC Radio Bristol’s Sound of the City, he said: “We’re pretty close now to doing a couple of deals. I’m not one for airing stuff publicly when you’re still talking about other peoples players.

“We still try and conclude a couple of deals as early as possible and then outside of that it’s trying to see what is available in the type of market we’re looking for.”

Most of Pearson’s signings have been on frees except for the additions of Rob Atkinson, George Tanner, Anis Mehmeti and Harry Cornick. Mehmeti and Cornick were funded by Semenyo’s sale, and any sale this summer could increase the number of arrivals.

Alex Scott is City’s most valuable asset, and is valued at around £25m, though that is just a starting point. Half the Premier League has been attributed with interest and a bidding war could drive up the price. Any sale of Scott should mean that Pearson would receive funds to reinvest back in to the squad.

City secured a finish of 14th under Pearson this year, which was their highest since he took over from Dean Holden in February 2021. He will enter the third-and-final year of his contract when the 2023/24 season begins, and at the start of his reign he spoke of his desire to reach the Premier League.

Pearson said: “There are things that possibly could change if players leave that might facilitate other deals. I’d rather work to the assumption that we work with all of our players intact and that includes Alex Scott.

“They’re in the building until someone comes in with a ridiculous bid. It’ll have to be a big bid to take him out. Alex is very keen to continue his own development.

“It’d be nice for us to have a crack at getting promotion next season with all our young players here. We’ve got a better chance of keeping our young players if we are successful.”