Nahki Wells could still leave Bristol City before the end of the season with two MLS clubs interested in signing the Bermudian international, Bristol Live understands.
Wells stayed put on Monday’s transfer deadline day after Cardiff City failed with two loan bids for the 31-year-old. Despite offering a sizeable wage contribution, the Robins remained insistent that the striker would only depart on a permanent deal as Nigel Pearson valued him as an important member of his squad.
That latter statement is laden in subjectivity given Wells has made just five Championship starts, with his last on November 2 and has fallen to fourth-choice striker behind Chris Martin, Antoine Semenyo and Andi Weimann.
Middlesbrough and Swansea also made enquiries earlier in the window over the availability of the striker but were unwilling to match that interest with a permanent offer, while Peterborough United were also mooted as a possible destination.
The expectation has been that Wells, who’s under contract until summer 2023, will now at least see out the season for City with the situation to be reassessed in the summer.
However, opportunities could develop in the United States with the new MLS season kicking off on February 26, and EFL rules permitting the movement of players of clubs to teams whose windows are still active, even if it doesn’t coincide with the European calendar.
Wells has scored 16 goals in 21 games for Bermuda who play in the CONCACAF conference, the same as the United States and Mexico, affording the striker a profile that possibly even exceeds the one he’s developed in England.
Bristol Live has learned of two clubs closely monitoring Wells’ situation across the transfer window and his position in staying at City makes him an appealing transfer option.
Although Wells, a marquee signing for the club in 2019 when he arrived from Premier League Burnley, helps reinforce an increasingly strong looking attacking department for City, ultimately his status as one of the club’s highest earners causes issues.
Given he’s been selected to play just 764 Championship minutes - ranking 17th among the squad - he is not providing suitable value, and City now face at least another five months of paying his salary for further minimal return, unless there is a dramatic change in his first-team situation.
But with Semenyo, Martin and Weimann all in such strong form, opportunities may not develop and if interest from America manifests into a serious permanent offer, it’s hard to see City turning it down.
The Robins recorded record losses of £38.4m losses for the financial year ending 2021, and there remains a desire and a need to further reduce their wage bill, even after shedding an estimated £6m since last summer.
Wells played 90 minutes for the Under-23s on Tuesday, scoring twice in front of Nigel Pearson as they drew 3-3 with Cardiff City.
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