Nigel Pearson honest chat with Bristol City hero Joe Bryan amid Millwall transfer talks

Nigel Pearson has revealed that finances and play-time was driving factors in why Joe Bryan didn't return to Bristol City this summer.

The 29-year-old emerged as a transfer target in late April, and speculation transpired into transfer talks, with the left-back speaking to the Robins boss on multiple occasions, but a deal could not be finalised. It was said that Bryan had a preference of a move abroad, but now Pearson has opened up on what was discussed during their talks, and now negotiations played out.

Bryan, is reportedly in talks to joins City's Championship rivals Millwall, and if negotiations are successful, then a medical has been arranged. Bryan left Ashton Gate for Fulham in 2018 for an undisclosed but sizeable fee, and a return to the West Country was something that the supporters had been in favour of.

"There was speculation about Joe (Bryan) coming in, and I spoke with him a number of times," revealed Pearson, who was speaking on the first day back of pre-season at the High Performance Centre.

"My view on that one is actually, he was brave enough to talk about having some reservations about him. We here are trying to create a side which is driven by a real thirst and hunger, it’s important we don’t make mistakes in terms of bringing players in.

"Joe would have been a fabulous signing for us in many ways but only if it felt right. For him to verbalise that to me, I was very pleased. I said to him the door is never closed. It would have been an expensive signing for us, we can’t afford to have players in the building who question whether it’s exactly the right move for them, it was a disappointing one."

Bryan would have come in and provided competition for Cam Pring, who displaced Jay Dasilva, which resulted in the former Chelsea youngster joining Coventry City. Jack Currie was a target for City in January, but after several failed transfer attempts, they moved on to Haydon Roberts, who was available on a free transfer from Brighton.

Roberts had spent the season on loan in League One with Derby County, and played mainly as a centre-back, but is primary position is as a full-back, and that is where he is expected to play for the next three-years of his contract. Roberts is the latest of three signings this summer having joined with Rob Dickie and Ross McCrorie, with more business yet to come.

"I think Haydon’s signing is a really exciting one, he’s had a very good season at Derby and is a promising player," added Pearson. "It shows the fluidity of what the market windows look like in many ways.

“I’m very pleased to get him in and of course, Dickie comes in with lots of experience, and that was one that came not out of the blue, but it was a deal that was able to be concluded pretty quickly, which is sometimes a surprise in these windows.

"I’m just pleased with all three of them, they bring us some quality, some balance as well, and options. We’ll see what the rest of the window has in store for us. It’s really just about adding to what we have.

“We need to try and make ourselves better when we add to the squad. It’s the whole idea of trying to shape squads. I’m pleased we’ve been able to get some early business done because that gives everybody a shot in the arm too."