‘Had conversations’ - Sheff Utd boss opens door for Bristol City to sign transfer target

Bristol City could soon be presented with an opportunity to sign former target Reda Khadra. Khadra was a target for the Robins in the summer after Nigel Pearson went public in revealing their interest.

In November, before City played Sheffield United at Ashton Gate, Pearson described Khadra as a ‘maverick’ and said how keen they were to sign him. The 59-year-old wanted a player to challenge him, and likes strong-minded people, identifying the German as someone who could challenge him at City.

Khadra ended up choosing Sheffield United in the summer, but after being substituted after just 30 minutes against Bristol City, Pearson believed that the 21-year-old may have regretted the decision and could have been better suited joining him instead.

City could now have the chance to sign him, with the Blades debating whether to send him back to parent club Brighton & Hove Albion. Khadra has fallen out of favour at Bramall Lane, and has not been present in their recent squads.

“He’s not making the squad,” said Blades first-team manager Paul Heckingbottom to sister website

“We’re going to have a look at that. As I said, I don’t want to be losing players if I can’t bring players in. I want to keep the group together. We’ve had conversations with Brighton and Reda and they know the situation."

Khadra has featured in enough games for the decision to be made by Sheffield United, but may send him back if a different opportunity arises. The former Borussia Dortmund youngster could return to Sussex, should Sheffield United find a player that could replace him. Sister website

Khadra has made just four league starts this season, coming on as a substitute 11 times. He has not been involved in the last two match-day squads, and has not started in a league match since their 1-0 win over City in early November.

His spell at Blackburn Rovers in the 2021/22 campaign was far more successful and the player will want to recapture that form. He played 30 times, starting 18 matches and had four goals and three assists.

“No, it’s just on me,” said Heckingbottom on who is in charge on making a decision on Khadra’s future.

“He’s not making the squad now, I get Brighton and Reda’s position on that. They want the football, I get that. But likewise I’ve explained our position to them.

"Everyone thinks we’ve got a huge squad, we haven’t got a huge squad. We’ve worked hard to get two players in every position and Reda was part of that.

"We need to know and I need to be sure that we’re going to have the funds to bring someone in on loan or what have you, and take it from there."