Bundesliga surprise package interested in Bristol City’s French starlet Han-Noah Massengo

SC Freiburg are reportedly interested in taking Bristol City midfielder Han-Noah Massengo to the Bundesliga.

Reports in Germany from Sky Sports say that the team which are currently third in the German top flight want to aquire his services.

Freiburg are consigned to losing Janik Haberer, 27, in the summer and see the former French Under-19 international as a suitable replacement.

Massengo is out-of-contract next summer and now the Robins board could be faced with a difficult on whether to stick or twist.

Selling Massengo would at least see them recoup a fee for one of their players in a period of financial uncertainty.

City reported losses of over £30m last month and whilst there is an emphasis on developing young players, players may have to be sold to offset the losses.

When asked whether players may have to be sold, manager Nigel Pearson said: “We’re not actively looking to sell our most talented prospects, of course, and our owners’ vision for how we shape the club moving forward is that we have home-grown players.”

The 20-year-old moved from French giants AS Monaco back in 2019 and he has gone on to make 70 appearances for the club.

The dynamic midfielder can play in various central midfield roles, such as a holding midfielder, as well as a number ten, but with that has been affected statistically.

His pass for Andreas Weimann’s second goal in the 3-2 win over Millwall was his first goal contribution in a red shirt.

Freelance football journalist Gregor MacGregor says that City paid £3m up front for him and that there are add-ons which would take the deal up to £8m.

It is unsure what clauses are in structured the deal but some could be on a club basis such as promotion to the Premier League which has been unfulfilled whilst others could hinge on Massengo’s career such as goals and assists or a call-up to the French senior team.

It recently came to light that Massengo was subject of interest from the German league as well as Watford in the summer, now further rumours continue to circulate over a possible departure.

He isn’t the only player to be linked with a future away from Ashton Gate Stadium with three other possible departures.

Kasey Palmer, who has been frozen out by manager Nigel Pearson, has been subject of interest of both Ipswich Town and Queens Park Rangers.

The Hoops are in advanced talks over the possible signing of Palmer and a deal could be sped up after their midfielder Ilais Chair departed for the African Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile Jay DaSilva and Nahki Wells, who have at least been included in the match day squads are also allowed to leave.

“Well, Nahki’s not had many opportunities and that’s the bottom line.

“I have no qualms about playing Nahki. I think he’s been really positive around the place, we know he’s a good finisher,” said Pearson.

“We need goals from throughout the team. It’s not just about the strikers contributing.

“I think we need goals from midfield and we certainly need more goals from our defenders from set plays, too.

“It’s about being able to win games and it doesn’t matter who scores, really, but of course strikers very much measure themselves with their goal tally and that’s the sign of strikers who enjoy scoring goals.”