Ligue 1 side Nice are leading the race to sign Bristol City midfielder Han-Noah Massengo, according to reports in France, with Leicester City and an unnamed German club also monitoring the 20-year-old's situation.
RMC Sport report that “several” meetings have taken place between club representatives and Massengo’s agent as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at Ashton Gate with City in a position where they have to consider all offers.
Massengo signed for the Robins in 2019 from Monaco and an appeal to his homeland would surely appeal, with Lyon previously linked having scouted the midfielder over the course of the 2021/22 campaign. Nice finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season and will have the chance to play in the Europa Conference League next season, depending on a summer play-off.
City turned down an offer from Watford last summer and amid public interest from Bundesliga club Freiburg in January, it was revealed that Massengo had a new contract on the table.
That remains unsigned with the increasing suspicion that Massengo will end his three years in the West Country. Although, when speaking to Bristol Live towards the end of the season, the 20-year-old insisted nothing was decided over his future.
He then bid a tearful farewell to travelling supporters at City’s final game of the 2021/22 season at Huddersfield Town. Manager Nigel Pearson also commented that he felt the occasion got the better of him as he was withdrawn early in the game following an erratic display,
From City’s perspective they need to maximise the price they will receive for the France Under-19 international who this week rejected a chance to play internationally for Congo.
Nice are owned by INEOS, the chemical company founded by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, so are financially equipped to make, at the very least, a competitive offer, while Premier League interest could also drive up any fee, although there's no indication that Leicester, or anyone else, is considering a bid just yet.
City’s dilemma, should an offer be forthcoming at this stage of the summer, will be whether to take what they can now, or hold out for more deeper in the window, but that could then impact any recruitment they themselves want to make given the minimal financial resources at Pearson’s disposal.
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