Nigel Pearson insists the prospect of Tomas Kalas signing a new contract at Bristol City remains a possibility as the out-of-contract centre-back didn't attend the first day of pre-season training at the High Performance Centre.
City continue to play a waiting game over Kalas’ decision with the Czech Republic international offered a new deal at the end of last season, on significantly reduced terms to the one he signed in 2019.
The 30-year-old’s agreement expires on Friday, meaning from then he’ll officially no longer be a City player and his lack of presence at Failand on Monday certainly leans towards the likelihood that he’s played his last game for the club, added to the fact there has been no fresh communication between player and manager.
Kalas is exploring the market for opportunities but Pearson maintains that nothing is decided yet, as the Robins are prepared to wait on the defender into the summer, knowing if he was to agree it’d represent a cost-efficient solution to a need in central defence, rather than having to go and spend in the transfer window.
Pearson has repeatedly referenced the situation facing Nathan Baker two summers ago when he was effectively released only for the club to renegotiate a new contract almost a month later.
“I’ve not spoken to Tomas recently,” Pearson said. “It’s more between the club and his representatives. There’s been an offer made but outside of that, he’s probably looking elsewhere at the moment.
“Deals are never dead. We saw this a couple of seasons ago. It’s one of those things where it illustrates the market, and the shape that football is in.
“Tomas has had a difficult couple of seasons in terms of availability and that is something which has been reflected in how we as a club have approached the contract situation. It’s a big shame in many ways, I’m a big fan of Tomas as a player, as a person, but we’ll see. We’ll see if there’s any legs in it yet but we’ll just have to keep waiting I’m afraid.”
Another player whose future remains uncertain but was present for pre-season at the HPC is Kane Wilson with the full-back’s proposed move to Bolton Wanderers seemingly on the verge of collapse.
Wilson was due for a medical in the north west last week, after a fee in the region of £200,000 plus add-ons had been agreed between the two clubs, but there’s since been a disagreement over terms of the deal and the 23-year-old trained with his Robins teammates.
Bolton have since travelled to Portugal for a pre-season training camp, having wanted the full-back to be part of that group and while the message from both sides is that a deal isn’t dead, it’s looking increasingly likely to be, at best, a drawn-out affair for club and player.
"There’s been speculation about Kane,” Pearson added. “The deal wasn’t concluded, it’s as simple as that. When we make changes to the squad when players come in, clearly that might affect one or two players that are already here. Kane had the opportunity to speak with Bolton, and the deal wasn’t concluded, and he’ll be here."
Meanwhile, after admitting Andy King would be staying at the club as player/coach, Pearson has revealed that a settlement is yet to be reached with the veteran midfielder.
King was at the HPC and the expectation is that a one-year contract will eventually be agreed to take him into a third year with his boyhood club but, as it stands, his agreement also expires on Friday.
"Hopefully Andy King gets sorted out soon," Pearson said. "I’ve not had a chance really to catch up with him too much. He appeared 33 times for us last year and did very well. Hopefully the club and him can come to some sort of agreement soon so we can get that put to bed."
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