Bristol City are hoping to hang onto Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo amid interest from Celtic and Premier League giants West Ham United and Everton, manager Nigel Pearson tells the Bristol Post.
The kids are alright at Ashton Gate. Well, maybe that’s underplaying it a tad.
Because, during another underwhelming season, Semenyo, Scott and the equally highly-rated Han Noah Massengo have given a dissatisfied fanbase something to cheer. Like a ray of light breaking through the clouds.
Semenyo, the Championship’s Player of the Month for January, has improved beyond all recognition. In the blinking of an eye, the powerhouse forward has gone from inconsistent talent to the arguably division’s most exciting young striker.
So much so that, with Semenyo’s agent confirming Celtic’s interest, Bristol City have slapped on a £20 million price-tag.
18-year-old Scott, meanwhile, has played his way onto the radars of West Ham, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, justifying his ‘Guernesey Grealish’ nickname with a series of mature performances at the heart of the Robins’ midfield.
Are Semenyo and Scott set for bigger things?
“They’re our players. And, if we have to lose them, they’ll go on our terms,” Pearson explains.
“We don’t want to necessarily be a ‘selling club’ just to keep afloat, because what that doesn’t do is give our fanbase any encouragement that what we’re trying to do is produce a side which is enjoyable to watch, will be successful and has players come through in our system.
“Maybe it’s pie in the sky. But, who cares, it’s what we aspire to do. But, like with every business, we have to make decisions which are right for the business.”
Semenyo has just over a year left on his contract. Unless Bristol City can tie him down to a new deal, then a difficult decision may have to be made.
“We are working hard and continue to work hard to hang on to our best players. Because that is how we will progress as a football team,” Pearson adds.
“But what we can’t do is ignore market forces. If players or their representatives are being very stubborn about it, then there becomes a threshold where you have to start thinking about getting the best price that you can for that talent.
“But, in the meantime, the Han-Noahs, the Alex Scotts, the Antoine Semenyos – we want to keep them wherever possible.”
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