This could be a pivotal transfer window for Bristol City with Nigel Pearson looking to kick-start the rebuilding process at Ashton Gate.

The departure of 11 senior players has left Pearson's options significantly reduced in a number of positions as he looks to shape his squad and change the culture.

Some key player still remain at City but with the likes of Jamie Paterson, Famara Diedhiou, and Jack Hunt gone, it looks set to be a very different Robins quad next term.

Given the current financial situation, Pearson will likely have to be as shrewd as possible to ensure he can bring in the quality he needs and enough of it.

That means not just good value permanent deals and positive loan moves but also ensuring they act smartly in the free agent market.

With that in mind, we've highlighted nine free agents who Bristol City should have on their transfer radar and why...

City need to strengthen at both right-back and centre-back, so snapping up Andre Wisdom on a free transfer would represent a great bit of business.

He's proven himself more than capable of playing both positions at Championship level and is an experienced head.

Wisdom's current deal is set to expire this summer and though the club remain in talks with the defender, you feel Pearson may well be able to tempt him to Ashton Gate instead.

There are question marks over Derby's finances due to the ongoing takeover delays and the Robins could benefit from them by snapping him up.

The Robins were really poor offensively last season, averaging fewer shots than any other club in the Championship, and have now lost Famara Diedhiou.

More firepower is needed and Ashley Fletcher could provide it, having left Middlesbrough as a free agent at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

There's a lot to like about the 25-year-old and he showed in the 2019/20 campaign that with the right service he has the potential to be a consistent goalscorer.

Now is the time for City to bring in players that they may have to be a patient with and Fletcher is one of those.

Another Riverside departee, Britt Assombalonga may not have been at his best in recent years but his record at this level is undeniable.

When on song, the 28-year-old is a lethal finisher and the Robins could do with one of them.

If Pearson can get him back to his best, signing the striker on a free transfer could end up being a masterstroke.

Sources have informed Football League World previously that Assombalonga is someone that has been on the South West club's radar.

Acting on that interest could prove a smart bit of business, with more quality clearly needed up top.

Norwich City confirmed that Mario Vrancic had not been offered a new deal and was set to become a free agent when they published their retained list today.

The 32-year-old midfielder is someone that Pearson should definitely be looking at, with more experience and leadership in the centre of the park needed.

Vrancic has real quality in possession and can control games at Championship level – something City were unable to do last year – and the part he played for the Canaries last season is evidence of that.

Signing him could be massive for the development of players such as Han-Noah Massengo and Tyreeq Bakinson.

As we've already discussed, City need some more firepower and dynamism going forward.

Beyond Antoine Semenyo, there weren't many Robins players willing to take on a player or that could create something out of nothing.

Signing Sammy Ameobi would add another of those players to the squad.

His Nottingham Forest contract is set to expire in the summer, so City should be monitoring his situation closely.

He's not the most consistent attacking at Championship level in terms of production but he could just add some flair to their squad.

Right-back is a problem position for the Robins, with Jack Hunt, Adrian Mariappa, and Steven Sessegnon gone.

Danny Simpson looks to be staying on but they'll need another option beyond the 34-year-old and bringing in a young defender would make sense.

23-year-old Matt Olosunde is an interesting option and certainly seems to have many of the characteristics you'd look for in a Championship right-back.

He didn't look out of place at that level last season and could develop under Simpson's wing at Ashton Gate.

Olosunde's contract is set to expire this summer but he is in talks with Rotherham, though after their relegation you feel he would be open to a move elsewhere.

Kieron Freeman's time at Swansea City has been a strange period but the 29-year-old looks a good option for the Robins given they're in need of reinforcements at right-back.

The defender barely featured for the Swans but impressed in the Championship and League One for Sheffield United.

He's got promotion experience as well and is versatile, having featured as a wing-back as well as in a back four, while his experience under Chris Wilder shows he's a player that's willing to work hard.

Ashton Gate could be the perfect place for him to kick-start his career after struggling for game time in recent seasons.

City's attack looked stale far too often last season, so injecting some pace and dynamism would make a lot of sense.

Kadeem Harris has those things in abundance and is a free agent after leaving Sheffield Wednesday.

Pearson will surely be on the lookout for players that are proven at Championship level and can create opportunities, the 27-year-old is both.

On top of that, he's been part of promotion-winning sides in the past and may be able to strike a fairly good value deal given he was on £10,000 a week at Wednesday (Salary Sport).

It would be a shock if he's not someone they're looking at.

Pearson is understood to be keen on a reunion with the midfielder, who played under him at Leicester City and is set to leave the Foxes as a free agent.

The 29-year-old is exactly what the Robins need in central midfield – experience, leadership, and someone capable of managing a game from that position.

Just like Vrancic his arrival could be a real boost for the development of Massengo and Bakinson.

James showed he can thrive at Championship level with his performances for Coventry City in the second half of last season – joining them in January and help steering them clear of relegation.