Nigel Pearson says Joe Bryan's potential Bristol City reunion would not be for sentimental reasons should the popular left-back return to the club five years after leaving.
Bristol Live can confirm the Robins are one of the Championship sides interested in the 29-year-old who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer with his deal expiring at Fulham. Stoke, Blackburn, Millwall, Swansea, and Cardiff also hold an interest in Bryan who was sold by City to the Cottagers in 2018.
Pearson was relatively coy when asked whether the reports had any truth to them but didn't deny that Bryan could be making a return to BS3. The Bristol-born defender has spent the season on loan with Nice in the French top flight but has been limited to just 10 appearances.
"We're always looking to improve and rather than answer it simply with a yes or no, we're going to try and strengthen and we'll see which players are doable for us," Pearson said in his final pre-match press conference this season.
"Again, I don't really enjoy too much speculating on these types of stories because you'll know when we're interested or when we're looking to sign a player when it's appropriate and that is when things are either agreed or things have to be agreed between the clubs and of course the player.
"For somebody like Joe Bryan who has been here before, let's be absolutely clear, the only way that we would be interested is - it wouldn't be a sentimental journey. It would be one in which if he's very keen to be a success here then obviously that's an important aspect of it.
"We only want to go out there and bring players in who are hungry for success and want to improve us as a football club and themselves individually so all those things remain the same."
Given the competition for his signature and his current stature having featured 44 times as a Premier League player since leaving City, wages could prove an obstacle. The club have implemented a salary structure to ensure greater disparity across the group of players and Pearson suggested there is still plenty of work to conclude behind the scenes before a deal is secured.
Although with the move representing the opportunity for Bryan to return to his home town club where he made 230 appearances after making his debut for the Robins in 2012, City would hold that considerable and unmatchable emotional advantage over their rivals.
"They'll be players who will be attractive to lots of football clubs so whether we are interested or not, there's still a lot of work to be done before those types of deals were done," Pearson added.
"Like I say, it's an important window for us because we need to get the balance right between adding players with experience and know-how but also keeping the very vibrant identity that we have and that is a team that can pit our wits against any side in the division. That is one of the most important improvements this season."
If Bryan does sign, it will raise the debate over the left-back position going forward with Cam Pring enjoying a brilliant season. AFC Wimbledon talent Jack Currie is also likely to remain a transfer target as they look towards the future. That said, Bryan is versatile enough where he can cover multiple positions, even in central midfield, if required.
Technical Director Brian Tinnion has previously said City will look to sign three or four players this summer. A left-back is an obvious option while two centre-backs are also likely to be targetted, depending on the immediate future of Tomas Kalas whose deal expires at the end of June.
When asked whether bringing in "three of four" additions is the right ballpark figure, Pearson responded: "Maybe, it depends how far we can stretch our resources and it depends on the players we would like to bring in, are doable. I think you've heard me say before, I don't really want to collect players and if we can't get the players we want, I'm not wasting money."
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