Nigel Pearson explains Bristol City stance on loan market as academy star earmarked

Nigel Pearson has clarified his stance on bringing in loan players to Bristol City as the club plans its next step in the transfer market.

Since taking over in February 2021, the 58-year-old has opted to either bring in permanent signings or work with the players he has at his disposal.

For the two summers he has been in charge, the task has been to lower the wage bill whilst remaining competitive, and he did so by securing a 17th-placed finish last year.

As the Robins now look to build on their performance from the past season, there is a wonder of where the team will strengthen in next.

City are having to work with a limited transfer budget and have yet to exchange a fee for a player with a suggestion that the loan market could be worth considering after neglecting it for a year.

But appearing as a contributor to BBC’s Sound of the City with Geoff Twentyman, Pearson said: “People may think, go and get loan players in they don’t cost much. If you get players from the Premier League more often that not you have to pay a loan fee and these lads who are maybe youngsters will be at the top end of our wage bill.

“It doesn’t work like that. Here is the main reason I haven’t brought anyone in. The existing culture we’ve had at the club isn’t strong enough to have people in who aren’t necessarily going to be here the year after.

“I think it’s a viable option for us this year because the existing strengths in the group of players is really a lot stronger than it’s ever been since I’ve been here.”

As is the nature of pre-season, a number of Premier League clubs have taken their younger players to tours or warm weather training camps.

The player’s ultimate ambition is to break in to the first-team squad at their contracted club until they are told otherwise that their short-term plans may be at another team.

So far, City’s transfer business has consisted of four free transfers though a small compensation package will be paid to Forest Green Rovers for the services of wing-back Kane Wilson.

The latest player to be linked with a move to Ashton Gate is Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson, who was a promotion hero at inter-city rivals Bristol Rovers last season.

City have been listed along with 11 other clubs by the Edinburgh Evening News as one of the potential destinations for the 19-year-old who is predominantly a central attacking midfielder.

Talks have been held with Premier League teams about exploring the possibility of taking their players but the wait for clubs to make a decision on their futures has left City in limbo.

Pearson added: “I think we could but they have to be the right ones. We’ve made enquiries about a number of players which haven’t materialised more because Premier League clubs have tours in pre-season which with so many international players they use younger players to populate their squads when they travel abroad.

“A number of clubs may be doing what we’ve done. They want to have a look at them in pre-season. It’s what I like to do anyway with our players. I would say they’re not going out early pre-season, tough. I want to have a look at them ourselves. I don’t to miss any progression that our young players have had.

“Look at a number of players that we have at our football club. For example Dylan Kadji for one who went on as a sub the other day against Bournemouth. He’s been injured for a few weeks but he did pretty well.

“It’s important not to overlook what you have in the building. It’s quite problematic to try and get the players you want in on loan. Especially from Premier League clubs there will be half a dozen Championship clubs looking at the same players.

“It’s not through lack of effort on our part in trying to get people in or a lack of desire, it’s just that it hasn’t materialised yet.”