What Nigel Pearson said about Bristol City transfer links with Fulham’s Joe Bryan

Nigel Pearson refused to be drawn into speculation about Bristol City being linked with an emotional return for left-back Joe Bryan.

BristolLive reported on Wednesday that the Robins had an interest in a reunion but faced competition from several Championship rivals. Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Stoke City, as well as Severnside rivals Cardiff City and Swansea City, are all keen on signing him. The report added that the ‘emotional pull’ and a ‘sense of forward momentum’ had put them in a good position to re-sign the defender.

Pearson however isn’t a manager that likes commenting on other people’s players and prefers for any transfer business to be discussed when it is at a crucial stage. Several players are out of contract at the club this summer, but he has kept that close to his chest and most recently gave a broad answer when linking them with a move with Aberdeen’s Ross McCrorie.

The Robins are expected to conduct their transfer business early, and once the season concludes on Monday, May 8 against QPR at Loftus Road, technical director Brian Tinnion will work hard to secure targets. Bryan, at 29 is different from the usual young players that the club have recruited in recent times, and the City boss was able to deliver his verdict on the new transfer rumours.

"I don’t really enjoy too much speculating on these types of stories," said Pearson when asked if Bryan was a player on the clubs’ transfer shortlist.

"You’ll know when we’re interested or looking to sign a player when it is appropriate and that is when things are either agreed or things have to be agreed with a club and the player. There will be players that are attracted to lots of clubs whether we are interested or not, there is still a lot of work to be done until those types of deals were done."

Bryan is currently with French side OGC Nice, along with Aaron Ramsey and Ross Barkley, but his loan expires at the end of the season, and his contract with Fulham is up. He joined the Cottagers from City back in 2018 and has had two seasons of Premier League football.

The left-back came through the academy at the same time as Bobby Decordova-Reid, and the pair are considered two of the best young talents that the club have produced. He could now return to Ashton Gate at a time when there is an emphasis on homegrown talent with Max O’Leary, Zak Vyner, Cameron Pring, Tommy Conway, and Alex Scott all first-team regulars.

Bryan’s favoured position of left-back would see him compete with Cameron Pring, and would perhaps spell the end for Jay Dasilva, who is out of contract. City have also been linked with a move with AFC Wimbledon’s Jack Currie and had several bids rejected on deadline day and if a move were to take place, then it would likely have to be one or the other given Pearson likes to operate with a smaller squad.

The 59-year-old did discuss Bryan and made reference to his previous spell at the club, but admitted he wouldn’t be signed over his past association. This summer is a big window, and there is a certain profile that they are looking for when searching for new recruits.

He said: "“For somebody like Joe Bryan who has been here before, let’s be absolutely clear, the only way that we would be interested is - it wouldn’t be a sentimental journey. It would be one in which if he’s very keen to be a success here then obviously that’s an important aspect of it.

“We only want to go out there and bring players in who are hungry for success and want to improve us as a football club. All those things just remain the same."