The players Nigel Pearson may have had talks with about leaving Bristol City

Nigel Pearson this week revealed that he had discussed with four players that their futures may lie away from Bristol City.

Already, Callum O’Dowda was told his services were no longer required at Ashton Gate, with ‘a need for change’ and ‘a shift in a different direction’ the words uttered by the manager.

O’Dowda’s departure had a similar feel to it as Jamie Paterson, who left B3 and then did well at Swansea City this season.

From their point of view, they’ll hope O’Dowda won’t be as successful as Paterson, as Championship rivals Birmingham City and Cardiff City sniff around the Republic of Ireland international.

O’Dowda’s departure isn’t the only exit expected to come this summer with Pearson now confirming the number of players he’s spoken to about leaving. Once again reiterating he wanted to keep hold of forward Nahki Wells.

In an interview with BBC Radio Bristol, he said: “I’ve spoken to four of our players who are in contract next season who aren’t part of my plans … and Nahki Wells isn’t one of them before you ask!”

“I’d love Nahki to stay with us. There are players in our squad who have another year on their contracts who have been told that their future is not with us. “It is in their interest to find themselves something else.”

It is interesting to see Pearson’s repeated stance on Wells, as this would have been a difficult season for the Bermuda international. Refused the chance to leave temporarily in January, it may perhaps be up to him to manufacture a move, but in his last talk with the media, he seemed happy at the club.

As Wells looks set to stay, the identities of the four players were kept hidden, there are some obvious choices who would best be suited to seeking a new playing opportunity elsewhere.

Here are the four players that we believe could be out of the door at Bristol City this summer which would free up some funds for purchases.

Kasey Palmer

After just six league appearances all season and his last outing being a cameo in an FA Cup defeat to Fulham, Palmer’s time at City looks to be coming to an end.

The form of Andi Weimann in that role just behind Chris Martin and Antoine Semenyo meant the 25-year-old couldn’t get a look in, whilst Alex Scott was preferred at times too.

There is still reported interest from Birmingham City, who were one of the clubs interested in him in January along with Huddersfield Town, Reading and QPR. Birmingham seem to have the strongest of interest and there could always be a way to strike a deal.

There is a reluctance to terminate the contracts of players and it would be expensive to pay Palmer off given he was bought for a fee from Chelsea.

Exploring the possibility of perhaps a swap deal could prove beneficial, as Pearson spoke about that in April, but player exchanges aren’t of the norm at this level.

Tyreeq Bakinson

In his last pre-match press conference of the season, Pearson wasn’t too keen to speak on Bakinson and whether he had a future at the club upon his return.

Just 55 days after a contract extension which would keep him at the club for another year,he was loaned out to Ipswich Town.

There was an option to make the move permanent when it was announced originally and the latest update in late April was that Kieran McKenna would be having ‘personal’ talks with him.

When Bakinson departed, Pearson said: "I’m not bothered. He’s a player who unfortunately just wants to play on his own terms. It’s not something I particularly want so he can go.

"I’m not wasting energy on negativity, I don’t invest time on that.”

Those are words that really show no possible way back into the first-team fold and really a departure would come as no surprise.

McKenna may like what he had seen from Bakinson, playing 17 games and scoring two goals. Ipswich seems like the best possible route for him but there could be other suitors at the same kind of level.

Taylor Moore

Under Dean Holden, Moore signed a contract extension of three years in October 2020, but once he left, Moore’s chances in the first-team were limited.

The 25-year-old wouldn’t even get a league appearance after February 20th, with others preferred over him in the position.

And even a full pre-season to try and impress Pearson wasn’t enough with the likes of Tomas Kalas preferred, whilst Rob Atkinson was also brought in.

Shipped out on loan to Scottish Premiership side Hearts, Moore was in and out of the side, helping them in their quest of a European spot.

Describing his time at Tynecastle as ‘the best time of his career’ so far, may have been a slight hope that he remains there.

A chat with the Edinburgh Evening News earlier in the season, revealed that it was unlikely that Hearts would be willing to part with a transfer fee for him.

Zak Vyner

With links to Kane Wilson, as well as the suggestion of Mark Sykes potentially playing as a wing-back, there goes the hope of Vyner’s secondary position.

Academy product Vyner, a centre-back by trade, made 22 appearances this season, one short of a half a campaign. In February however after being part of a defence that shipped three to Swansea City, changes were made and he found himself as part of the axing.

A 45-minute substitute appearance against Peterborough United is all that followed in the 14 games after that defeat in South Wales. Not included in the final four match day squads of the year, it looks like his days could be numbered.

There is an obvious desire to recruit defenders this transfer window both at right wing-back as well as centre-back.

He has had loan spells with Accrington Stanley, Plymouth Argyle and Rotherham United in the EFL, as well as time away in Aberdeen, so he shouldn’t be too short of offers.