Nigel Pearson quipped of a potential Han-Noah Massengo situation regarding Alex Scott after the midfielder's poignant standing ovation in front of the travelling Bristol City fans yesterday.
Following the 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers, the entire City staff made their way to the 1,700 away supporters in a show of togetherness at the end a long and challenging but productive season. Andy King then pushed Scott to the front of the group where the 19-year-old stood as a lone figure, applauding fans for what could be the final time.
The likelihood is that Scott has played his final match as a Bristol City player as the Premier League beckons. He's unlikely to be short of suitors with Brighton and Hove Albion the latest of numerous top-flight sides holding an interest.
A year ago, following defeat at Huddersfield Town, Massengo cut an emotional figure with his permanent departure expected after a breakdown in contract talks as he headed into the final year of his deal at Ashton Gate.
That transfer failed to materialise due to a lack of offers in the midfielder and Massengo would play another 12 times for City this season with his final game coming in a 3-0 defeat to Birmingham in October. Three months later, he joined Auxerre on loan for the rest of the campaign which will signify the difficult ending to his time in BS3.
Although Scott and Massengo's situations have little in common when it boils down to levels of interest, it did feel like a final farewell for the England Under-20 international as City hold out for £25million for his signature.
Pearson and Scott were pictured sharing a joke on the pitch after the player's applause and when asked about the situation in his post-match press conference, the manager said: "I just said 'Han-Noah Massengo, eh?' He went 'I hope not' so there you go. And Tommy Conway said he better not be too because they share a flat."
Asked if there has been an offer for him, Pearson responded: "No, let's be clear. He's got two years left on his contract and we're very, very pleased to have him and it's clear that he's a huge talent and I thought he was unplayable at times today.
"I see people in the stands who I know must be interested today but it's nice to have assets and we've got a few. I think Sam Bell was a nightmare to play against and it was a good goal.
"We've got some good young players coming through and we have three others who travelled who came along for the experience and they can see what the first team is about and it's about trying to establish a pattern that everybody in the club understands so that players don't come into the first-team environment not knowing what is expected.
"They all know what's expected of them. Tinns travelled with us on Sunday too and we've made some important decisions and progress this season on lots of levels which is really good for us. I think the future for the club will be bright for money years to come so that's good."
Scott's stock has continued to rise throughout the campaign. He followed in the footsteps of Jude Bellingham by winning the Championship Young Player of the Year award before being crowned City's Young Player and Player of the Season last week.
Speaking after the City awards night, Scott provided a glimmer of hope that he will stay put for another 12 months but ultimately, it comes down to whether a Premier League would be willing to cough up because the club have security over his contract.
He said: "“t’s been massive for me. As a team, we’ve definitely progressed from last season. As a player on and off the pitch, I have progressed massively as well. I’m glad and I’m grateful to have played so many games and I’m looking forward to going again next season.”
When speaking about his future before City's final home game of the season, owner Steve Lansdown said: "We've quoted £25m in the past, I really don't know where it goes. It's supply and demand, isn't it? If there are lots of clubs interested in him, then the value goes up.
"If it doesn't then it's what we can achieve. At the end of the day, we're not going to sell him on the cheap, he's contracted for another couple of years but I'd like it to be longer to keep that momentum going."
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