Pearson sets his sights on five summer signings for Robins
NIGEL Pearson wants to sign five players this summer and admits the financial uncertainty in football in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on the transfer market.
City are yet to add to their squad this summer, after the window officially opened on Wednesday, with the need to both strengthen the group and cover lost positions with 11 players released at the end of this month.
Pearson has specified five positions he wants to bring in: two centre-backs, two central midfielders and a striker, but has revealed it’s been hard going in what is a very quiet and uncertain market.
Pearson also touched on Andi Weimann and Danny Simpson’s situations with the pair offered new contracts last month but are yet to renew and, as it stands, become free agents in two-and-a-half weeks.
“Eleven released, Sess (Steven Sessegnon) going back to Fulham is 12; Andi Weimann and Danny Simpson, hopefully they’ll renew in the next week or so ... but it could be 14 gone,” Pearson told Robins TV.
“That’s the reality of it but if I get five players that I want in, I’ll be happy. The bottom line is, we will operate with a smaller squad this year because I don’t want to populate the squad this season with players who I don’t think are motivated to be here.
“What I’m trying to do is re-calibrate where we are as a football club and it’s important the signings that we make in this first window are important for the present but also the longer term.
“I am impatient sometimes but I think it’s important to try to do
some early business, just because it sends the right messages but also the start of pre-season isn’t too far away. I would like to have 11 v 11 early on, so just from a practical point of view.
“I spoke to Jon (Lansdown) today. Quite an informal chat. Both of our observations are along the line of, how unusual this window is going to be.
“There’s a reluctance from a lot of people to do business, there’s a re-calibration within the industry; how agents see the financial aspects of doing deals.
“The type of players is the type of people, firstly, and they’ve got to be good enough. I want to build from the back.
“I think we’re very blessed in the goalkeeper position. I’d like two centre-backs, I’d like two centre midfielders and I’d like somebody to stick the ball in the back of the net ... that’s five players. But that’s not to say that we don’t do loans. There is scope for us to make changes.”
As previously reported, the Bristol Post understands that among the players being considered for those positions are centre-backs Tom Lees at Sheffield Wednesday, and Rob Atkinson of Oxford, midfielder Matty James, who’s being released by Leicester, plus Rotherham striker Michael Smith, Blackpool forward Jerry Yates and AFC Wimbledon frontman Joe Pigott.
City are having to be modest in their targets given the lack of money for both transfer fees and wages, and Pearson admits the wage bill has to be reduced further, even in the wake of so many departures.
Nathan Baker’s exit and Alfie Mawson’s loan return has left Pearson with just two senior centrebacks and Famara Diedhiou’s departure leaves an obvious hole in attack but his wish for two centremidfielders is interesting.
City have Han-Noah Massengo, Adam Nagy, Tyreeq Bakinson, Joe Willams and James Morton, plus Kasey Palmer in a more advanced role. If the manager is to secure two more players in that position that indicates at least one sale in that department.
» Pearson is eager to lure Scotland international Barry Douglas to Bristol City, according to a report.
The Leeds United left-back will be a free agent at the end of the month, and he isn’t short of options as his three-year stint at Elland Road comes to an end.
The 31-year-old spent last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, making 30 appearances in the Championship.
The player has said he is open to permanent switch to Ewood Park, but Sky Sports report the Robins are among several other clubs mulling a move for for the former Wolves, Lech Poznan and Konyaspor defender.
» Bristol City have allowed homegrown goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott to join Swindon Town on a permanent deal.
The academy graduate joined City as a teenager, but never made a first-team appearance. He has joined Swindon - relegated to League Two last season - on a free transfer, with City holding a sell-on clause. Wollacott played for Swindon twice last season after being sent to the County Ground on an emergency loan deal, and he has made a permanent switch to Wiltshire in hope of securing regular playing opportunities.
“This is a great opportunity for Jojo to push on and establish himself in first team football and he leaves with our blessing,” City player pathway manager Brian Tinnion said.