Ex-Bristol City star in surprise transfer talks as return ruled out for Chelsea man

Trabzonspor are holding transfer discussions with Han-Noah Massengo, according to reports in Turkey.

Yunus Emre Sel, a Turkish journalist claimed last week that Trabzonspor are ‘meeting with the 22-year-old’ and that negotiations will continue.

The French midfielder remains a free agent following his exit from Ashton Gate earlier this summer. He was offered a new contract by the club but turned it down and is now considering his operations.

It was reported last month by French outlet L’Equipe that Massengo rejected a move to the Premier League with Burnley. Their report claimed that whilst Massengo holds dreams of playing in the top flight of English football, he wants a considerable playing role.

Leeds United are said to hold an interest too, but are aware that they would need to pay a considerable amount of compensation to Championship rivals Bristol City if they signed him. The Whites haven’t signed a midfielder of Massengo’s calibre yet and it could keep the door open for a move to Elland Road.

Real Betis, Freiburg and Wolfsburg, as well as his former club Monaco have been touted as other potential destinations. Last month it was reported Celta Vigo had held talks with Massengo, but as of yet his next club hasn’t been finalised.

Bristol City will stand to get around £270,000 should Massengo join a team outside of England. If Leeds or another could sign him then they will be due compensation having played a key role in his development over the four-years he spent at Ashton Gate.

In other news, the Bristol Post report that any chance of Tomas Kalas returning to the club is ‘all-but-over’ amid talk on social media. Several posts had claimed Kalas would return, however he won’t be signing a deal at Ashton Gate.

The 30-year-old was offered a new contract in May albeit on reduced terms, and talks reached an impasse, and now the Czech Republic international is a free agent. He did not train with the club in pre-season or go on their tour to Austria, and Nigel Pearson has since moved on.

Bristol City will need to change their centre-back partnership for the first time this season however after Rob Dickie was sent off against Birmingham City. Pearson could opt to play Cameron Pring as a left-sided centre-back alongside Zak Vyner, and bring in Haydon Roberts into the starting 11 as a left-back.