Nigel Pearson refused to get drawn into transfer speculation regarding Aberdeen's talent Ross McCrorie, amid links with the 25-year-old at the end of the last week.
Football Insider first reported the interest in McCrorie and Bristol Live can confirm the club are looking at the utility player over a potential summer move. However, City will need to fend off competition from other Championship clubs if they want to conclude a deal.
McCrorie fits the bill in terms of strengthening the right areas of the pitch. After the Middlesbrough draw last week, Pearson reiterated the message to address the balance in the squad when the transfer window opens including bringing in more defensive cover.
McCrorie, formerly of Rangers, can play both as a defensive midfielder and as a centre-back. He also played as a right wing-back in Aberdeen's 1-0 victory over Ross County on Friday while dropping deeper as a right-back in parts during the season.
When asked if there was any truth in the speculation following the defeat at Watford, Pearson told Bristol Live: "You know I don't comment on speculation that's generated from other people.
"All I will say is that we will try and do some early business at the end of the season. As soon as we can and we're working very hard to both identify and get closer to doing deals."
McCrorie came through the Rangers academy where he made 55 appearances whilst gaining experience out on loan with Ayr United, Dumbarton and Portsmouth. He featured 23 times in League One during the 2019-20 season, starting in Pompey's play-off semi-final defeat to Oxford.
City will only bring in players who are considered better than what they currently have and therefore McCrorie would arrive at Ashton Gate as a first-team regular, should the deal go ahead. He has a contract until 2026 to emphasise Aberdeen's position of strength over any deal.
Reinforcing the squad with defensive players remains the priority over the summer. The club have already identified targets who they will aim to pursue immediately at the end of the season with a continued preference to get deals completed early.
There remains uncertainty over the future of Tomas Kalas, whose deal expires at the end of the season. The centre-back will need to sign a reduced salary if he is to extend his four-year stay at the club although there are doubts over his fitness having made three league starts this season following ongoing knee issues.
Alex Scott continues to be heavily linked with a move to the Premier League and it's expected he will depart this summer with the club holding out for £25million. When Pearson addressed Jay Dasilva's future last month, he responded 'there is no definite outcome at the moment' as he approaches the end of his contract.
City do have money to spend following the sale of Antoine Semenyo but will continue to remain cautious with expenditure given the financial difficulties accrued through big-player investments before Pearson's tenure.
The City manager said earlier this month: "The financial climate has changed here so it’s not about transfer fees it’s about wages these days more often than not. There are a lot of players that are available.
"Premier League clubs are spending millions and millions but we have to be mindful of how we spend our money. It’s much more cost-effective to be in the market for players who are available on a free but we have a wage structure now and one of which we’re not prepared to move outside of.
"There has to be an element of fairness and we want to have a sustainable as a possible operation which it has not been previously."
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