Nigel Pearson admits discussions over Han-Noah Massengo's new contract continue to rumble on as the midfielder experiences a purple patch after playing his way through a difficult spell prior to Christmas.
Massengo was the subject of transfer speculation early in the January window with claims in Germany that Freiburg were ready to spend a significant fee to sign him, a few weeks after the publication of an interview in France in which it was revealed Premier League Watford made an unsuccessful bid last summer for the 20-year-old.
The Robins have offered fresh terms to Massengo, whose present deal expires in 2023, but there is a sense of anxiety within the fanbase that as his stock continues to rise and the clock ticks towards the summer, if he doesn't extend his contract, a summer sale looks inevitable.
Massengo attracted considerable praise from the home support at Preston North End last Saturday, with fans branding his performance in the heart of the Robins engine room as one of the best ever by an opposition player at Deepdale, at least in recent memory.
Pearson has previously insisted he's not part of contract negotiations as he doesn't talk to agents, leaving that side of the business to CEO Richard Gould and the manager claims Massengo is also following that lead, as he focuses on his performances on the field.
"No, not that I'm aware of," Pearson said, when asked if there's been any progress surrounding Massengo. "We're trying to get to an agreement with him. But he's not involved in that, he wants to concentrate on his football.
"We are very keen to get some sort of conclusion. It's one those where, we're trying to secure him for a longer period."
Massengo has formed an exciting partnership in the middle of the park with 18-year-old Alex Scott, in the absence of veterans Andy King and Matty James - with the former potentially out for the season having undergone hamstring surgery, and the latter showing little sign of an immediate return due to an ongoing foot issue.
It's dispelled a theory earlier in the campaign that the 20-year-old can only function effectively with an experienced presence alongside him and speaks volumes of his own maturity.
Indeed, increasingly it looks like that spell in November and December, when he struggled to impose himself on games as he appeared to lack control and tactical discipline, forcing the issue too much, was as much a symptom of playing alongside the now-departed Tyreeq Bakinson as much as anything else.
"What he has been able to do this season is play his way through a very difficult patch of form that he had. He's been really good recently, but he's not been at his best (before that). He knows that, he works hard at his game," Pearson added.
"For a young player to have that opportunity, whether that is circumstances or selection, doesn't really matter. What he has done is found a way of being game-effective and deal with his own disappointment that he's not been able to play as well as he can do. That speaks volumes in itself.
"He's another young player who's forging his own career and he's doing it very well."
One young talent City have managed to secure the long-term future of is Ayman Benarous, with the 18-year-old's two-year contract extension confirmed this week, 12 months after he signed his first professional deal at the club.
The playmaker has been with the Robins since he was six and has made the breakthrough this season under Pearson, playing in a central attacking role and at wing-back.
Pearson believes that key to Benarous' progress, as there is little doubt over his individual talent and skillset, is the Bristolian's temperament and his desire to learn and continually push himself as expectations alter.
"He like most young player will have ups and downs," Pearson said. "He's on the start of a new journey now - he's a first-team member and he will be judged as a first-team member.
"The expectations sometimes can rise too quickly for young players but I like his temperament, he's got ability, he's got a lot of tenacity about him as well.
"There's no doubt he will have setbacks. He played for the Under-23s the other day and didn't have one of his best games.
"But I've got no doubt if plays at the weekend he'll be able to go out there and affect the game in a positive way. He is a young player with talent but we need to be mindful how he develops, and the challenges we present to him are achievable.
"He has a good future ahead of him if he continues to develop and maximises the opportunities he gets. Because it's not just about us, he has to do it for himself as well and that's when temperament becomes important."
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