Bristol City forward Sam Pearson is a summer transfer target for newly-promoted League Two side Notts County, Bristol Live understands, where he would be reunited with former Robins Under-23 coach Luke Williams.
The Magpies secured their return to the fourth tier after four seasons in the National League with a penalty shootout victory over Chesterfield on Saturday at Wembley and Williams, who's been in charge at Meadow Lane since last summer, has begun preparations for next term.
Williams served as City Under-23 coach between 2017 and 2019 during Pearson’s rise through the academy before the Wales Under-21 international embarked on a series of loan moves at Bath City, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Yeovil Town and most recently AFC Wimbledon where he made 16 appearances in League Two last season.
Former City academy performance analyst George Lawtey is also part of Williams’ staff, while former Robins U23 captain Aden Baldwin has been a regular presence in defence.
Pearson has one year remaining on his contract at Ashton Gate having been among four prospects to have signed extended terms in the summer of 2021 not long after Nigel Pearson was confirmed as manager on a long-term contract.
Of that group, Tommy Conway has established himself as a first-team regular, Owura Edwards remains on loan at Ross County with three games of the Scottish Premiership remaining, and the club holding an option on his deal which expires this summer, while Ryley Towler was sold to Portsmouth in January.
Pearson’s first-team opportunities at Ashton Gate appear limited and after enjoying a run in the senior side towards the end of the 2020/21 campaign, making five Championship appearances, he’s not played since.
Heading into the summer, City appear well-stocked for wide forwards, with Harry Cornick and Anis Mehmeti having arrived in the January window, and Sam Bell enjoying a breakthrough campaign.
With 12 months remaining on his deal, City will be seeking a fee for the 21-year-old who moved across the Severn from his native Cardiff in 2016. The club is unlikely to stand in his way should it become clear that Pearson wants to seek a new challenge in order to play more first-team football.
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