Nigel Pearson says a potential January move for Han-Noah Massengo would be beneficial for all parties but the club have yet to receive anything "absolutely concrete."
The 21-year-old midfielder is out of contract in the summer and a departure from Bristol City is inevitable. However, having moved to BS3 for an initial £2.7million plus add-ons in 2019, the club are eager not to let him leave for nothing.
Massengo can agree a pre-contract with a foreign club in the New Year and therefore resolve his future when his current deal comes to an end at the end of June. Due to his age, City will earn a small compensation fee if he leaves on a free although they'll still be counting the costs of failing to recoup the outlay they paid Monaco for him.
Last week, Pearson hinted that the Frenchman could leave the club next month. He was left out of the squad against Rotherham on Saturday and hasn't featured since the 3-0 defeat at Birmingham towards the beginning of October.
Due to the pre-contract option, any funds raised for Massengo are likely to be from an English club. When asked whether the club have received interest, Pearson said: "Not that I'm aware of have we received anything absolutely concrete but again, my view on Han-Noah is that I'm confident that he if he's required here he's a good professional, I like him and if we need him we'll use him.
"But also it would be beneficial for all parties if we find a solution in January but we won't force it."
With his contract expiring, any fee that City receive for Massengo in January is likely to be nominal as it's the final chance to cash in. It could also be considered an optimistic approach unless there's a club that would want the player to join in the new year to eliminate the risk of increased competition for his signature at the end of the season.
If they do manage to secure a fee, Pearson could reinvest in bringing a new player through the door after reiterating his stance that trading will be the most efficient and likeliest way to do business.
"I think, if I'm honest, we have a better chance of trading instead of just going out and adding to the squad," Pearson added. "It could be that sort of scenario but we'll have to wait and see.
"I don't worry about it. If it can be done then fine. If not I don't worry about things I can't have control over. My job is to keep an eye on what we have already and how we can improve if possible.
"But it's just a very pragmatic approach to a situation where we all know we want to develop our squad. It's just a timeframe of when you can do it in.
"What I'll reiterate again is that what I won't do is add players for the sake of it. If we can't get the players we want or do the business that we'd like to do, we'll leave it to the next window and we'll have to find an internal solution. Who knows?
"We might have one or two more from the academy breaking through this season."
Defender Duncan Idehen returned to City this week after his loan spell at Carlisle was cut short following a lack of appearances. Pearson admitted they may facilitate another temporary move for the youngster having fallen behind certain players in the pecking order.
He said: "There are other youngsters at the club who have probably gone past him at the moment. So there's a possibility that Duncan could go out again.
"The only reason we brought him back is because opportunities at Carlisle were limited so it's the sensible thing to bring him back and we'll try and find a different solution for him."
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
READ NEXT
