We're only four days into the January transfer window and judging by the reports thus far, the futures of Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo threaten to become a running theme throughout the month.
In a way, it epitomises the uncertainty of Bristol City's situation, both in the transfer market and in the dugout at the moment. Given how much of the spotlight has been on Nigel Pearson and his future following the Boxing Day defeat, City's talented duo are creating their own subplot to what is shaping up to be an intriguing and anxious start to 2023.
On Monday evening, Team Talk suggested Bournemouth were in talks over a £20million double deal for Scott and Semenyo as they plan to open the chequebook following the takeover of billionaire owner Bill Foley. There's no doubt they'll be busy this month with Foley telling talkSPORT: "We’re going to be active, and we need to get active quickly. We're talking more than one!"
That doesn't particularly bode well but it's worth noting that given Bournemouth's flurry of new riches, there will be a lot of publications putting two and two together and equalling five as they link plenty of names to Gary O'Neil's side. For example, reputable reporter Mark McAdam who has in the side track on Bournemouth says he has seen 11 players have been linked with the club in 72 hours - one of those being accurate.
On Wednesday, publication Sahara Football suggested City had rejected a £12m offer for Semenyo while Alan Nixon has also written how the Cherries are targeting the Ghanaian forward.
While Bristol Live understands Bournemouth's interest in both players to be true, there have been no offers. In regards to Scott, the Premier League club are keen admirers and may look to pursue a move this month. With Semenyo, they have other targets in mind ahead of the 22-year-old.
Given City's financial state of play on top of the quality and potential Scott and Semenyo share, there won't be one supporter naive enough to concede that it's just a matter of when and not if they head for a new challenge in the top flight.
However, given City's overall form which includes three wins in 20 games in all competitions and the fact they are three points above the drop zone, losing both players at this stage of the season would appear almost inconceivable and a huge gamble to take.
Fortunately with Scott, City have time on their hands and are therefore in control of the situation. He has a contract at Ashton Gate until 2025 and has shown no indication that he wants to leave.
His maturity for a player who turned 19 in August is really impressive and he is aware his development is best suited to playing regularly under Pearson in the Championship. Therefore City can drive whatever price they wish this month particularly as competition for his signature is likely to increase his value.
The Telegraph reported how Wolves are among a dozen Premier League sides monitoring his situation as Scott continues to turn a blind eye and concentrate on getting City higher up the table. Pearson has also instilled confidence that the pair won't be leaving BS3 this month having reiterated the message that they want to keep hold of their best players.
Just before Christmas, he also claimed they don't necessarily have to cash in on either Scott or Semenyo in order to get business concluded this month. Pearson is after at least one central defender and an attacking player that can turn a game on its head.
Semenyo's situation is a little different. He has a contract until 2024 meaning the club will be tasked with selling him either this month or in the summer therefore if an offer comes in that is too good to refuse, tough decisions will have to be made taking into consideration the necessity for Championship survival.
Just for good measure to throw in another dollop of uncertainty, owner Steve Lansdown said back in August regarding Scott and Semenyo: "They have fantastic facilities here, it's a great club to be a part of, great team-mates and a progression that they can see in their own careers. When a Premier League club comes in for them that's when it's difficult to turn down and I wouldn't stand in their way."
Last Thursday in City's trip to Millwall, Semenyo showed glimpses of rediscovering his best form following a challenging first half of the season which saw him miss pre-season through a shin fracture. Three days later at Coventry, those cobwebs were well and truly dusted off and it was the striker we grew accustomed to seeing regularly in the second half of the last campaign.
The timely return to form, including scoring his first goal since September, can be looked at in two ways. As Andy King recently suggested, on his day there is no better player in the Championship and a fit and firing Semenyo can fire City up the table almost singlehandedly.
On the flip side, scouts, managers and directors of clubs who have a transfer interest (and there will be a good number of them) will be raising one or two eyebrows knowing he could potentially be a huge impact in the final four months of the season.
Pearson knows he needs results and keeping the core spine of his team together while adding some quality in other areas, will be key in achieving that. In an interview with talkSPORT after Sunday's game, he said: "I can’t do much about people’s tolerance levels, whether that be our fanbase or our owners."
While the FA Cup game with Swansea can be considered somewhat of a free hit next weekend, two crucial home fixtures follow in Birmingham and Blackburn which could effectively see City slip into the drop zone without a victory. This month has the potential to spark change both on the pitch and in the dugout so strap in because it could be a bumpy ride.
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