Striker Wells can leave – but only on City’s terms

BRISTOL City striker Nahki Wells will be allowed to leave Ashton Gate this summer – but it is understood the striker’s departure is likely to be a long and protracted affair with the Robins still keen to recoup some financial value for the Bermudian, writes James Piercy.

Wells has one year left on his deal in BS3, having signed for a fee of around £5million, but has been on the periphery of the starting XI this season, making just seven Sky Bet Championship starts with a further 25 appearances from the bench.

That situation is unlikely to change going into the next campaign, and runs contrary to his status as one of the highest-earning players at the club, with City simply not extracting enough value on the pitch for the investment they have made.

The coming transfer window also represents the last opportunity City have to recoup something for the striker before his valuation plummets ahead of free agency next summer.

With January loan moves to both Cardiff and Swansea breaking down due to the Robins insistence he would only be permitted to leave on a permanent move, and no viable options emerging over the course of the month, the same theory is likely to be applied for the coming window.

Darren Witcoop, of The Mirror, has reported that Wells will be allowed to leave the West Country on a free. That would deny City any transfer revenue, but would allow a saving of around £1.2m to be made on the final 12 months of his deal.

However, it is understood that City themselves are not currently looking at the free transfer option, while Wells has not formally requested a transfer either, despite his failure to earn regular starts at the Robins.