Premier League suitors are circling around Han-Noah Massengo with Leicester and Southampton the latest clubs linked with Bristol City's golden boy.
The 20-year-old midfielder is enjoying a fine season under manager Nigel Pearson but his future remains in serious doubt with his contract situation unresolved. Although the club have opened talks with Massengo over extending his contract at Ashton Gate, no developments have been made to his deal that currently expires in the summer of 2023.
With City publishing losses in December of £38.4million for the final year ending 2021, the Robins will almost certainly be forced to reluctantly cash in to the highest bidder in the next transfer window if a new deal isn't signed as they can't afford to let him leave on a free.
According to Football Insider, Brendan Rodgers' Leicester and the Saints are two of the top flight sides "in the hunt" for Massengo as they look to take advantage of his contract situation.
The report adds that scouts from the two clubs have been in attendance to watch his performances and undoubtedly they would have been encouraged with his displays. Southampton scout Sam Stauton, formerly Head of Analysis at Bristol City, is a regular visitor at Ashton Gate.
It is not the first time Massengo has been the subject of transfer interest. Reports in Germany in January linked him with a £6m move to Freiburg, although no bid was forthcoming, while Sky also reported the club had rejected an £8.3m offer from Watford in the summer, as it fell short of the Robins valuation at the time.
CEO Richard Gould quipped earlier this season Massengo is a player who the club would like to keep for the next 10 years but the longer the contract situation drags on, the more interest that will be generated in his signature.
In February, Pearson was asked whether there was any update on Massengo's contract situation but admitted no progress had been made. He said: "No, not that I'm aware of. 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 joined City for £2.7m in the summer of 2019 from Monaco and such is his potential, has already played over 70 times in the league.
The reports come just a week after Leicester and Everton were linked with City's other prized talent Alex Scott. The 18-year-old has a contract until 2025 so City have more room to play hardball in negotiations should the offers arrive in the summer.
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
