Ahead of a summer of expected player turnover at Bristol City, several Premier League sides are keeping tabs on the best players at Ashton Gate.
Bristol Live understands that Southampton have been one of the keenest in regular attendance in BS3 in recent weeks to watch Nigel Pearson's side playing on their own turf, principally to take in Dan Bentley, Antoine Semenyo and Tyreeq Bakinson, who are all on the radar of several top teams.
The Saints are believed to be looking at Bentley, as they review their goalkeeping options for the next campaign, with the 27-year-old still one of City's best and most consistent performers of the season despite several errors of late in BS3.
The former Brentford keeper failed to handle a Junior Stanislas cross in the 2-1 loss to Bournemouth recently and was caught out of position on Saturday as Michael Smith headed in the opening goal on the stroke of half-time as City lost to Rotherham United to record a sixth straight home loss, but his year has been one of strong development.
Though out of form currently, Bentley is still a strong contender for City's player of the season.
Tyreeq Bakinson and Antoine Semenyo have likewise caught admiring glances from the Premier League outfit, who have former Robins Sam Stanton, Louis Carey and David Horseman all among their existing backroom staff.
But teams further up the ladder are also interested in City's pair of young stars, with Premier League sides even beginning initial enquiries in the last transfer window. Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth and Norwich have all been at Ashton Gate recently watching the Robins duo, plus Han-Noah Massengo.
Bristol City are looking to revamp their playing options this summer to suit the direction manager Nigel Pearson wants to head in, with the 57-year-old running the rule over his existing squad, plus considering recruitment options elsewhere.
Summer plans
One initial transfer target is Alex Pritchard of Huddersfield Town. The attacking midfielder was offered to several Championship sides in January and the Robins have held a long-term interest, though he is but one of several players that City will examine.
The 27-year-old former Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur player has been tracked since his England U21 days and is regarded as someone who can add more creativity and guile in the final third.
However, the recently linked defender Dion Sanderson, on loan from Wolves to Sunderland, is not a player of interest despite reports elsewhere.
Plans for the next campaign are underway and Pearson and Mark Ashton are in constant dialogue over what may be possible.
The manager gave an insight at the weekend to BBC Radio Bristol following the Millers loss.
"There are things to do and we have a situation where we have an opportunity this summer to develop the squad further," said Pearson on Saturday.
"And I want the players who are here to use the remainder of the season to prove not just to us but to themselves how they see their future - and it's really quite straightforward in that regard."
One key decision will be over the future of Famara Diedhiou and whether to make an improved contract offer, with the forward out of contract in June and his future no nearer to being clarified.
