City and Forest among the clubs trying to sign Burnley striker Wells
THE bidding war Burnley are hoping to invite surrounding Nahki Wells looks to have started, with Nottingham Forest the latest Championship club to declare their interest in the striker.
According to Sky Sports News reporter Lyall Thomas, Forest have “opened talks” with Burnley over a permanent deal for the 29-yearold, who is presently on loan at QPR.
Wells has scored 13 goals in 26 Championship appearances this season - one every 124 minutes but, as the Bristol Post confirmed on Tuesday, will be recalled from his temporary spell at the Kiyan
Prince Foundation Stadium if the Clarets find an appropriate buyer.
The Bermudian international is out of contract this summer but Burnley hold a 12-month option on his contract which they’re expected to activate to help secure a higher price for him.
Despite Wells not being part of Sean Dyche’s plans, having made just nine league appearances, Burnley are aware this is likely to be the last transfer window they can attract a serious bid for him before his value starts to plummet from February 1.
Having purchased him from Huddersfield in 2017 for £5 million, it is understood Burnley are asking for a price in that region, although
Nahki Wells has impressed at QPR it remains unclear if any Championship side is willing to invest such a fee on a player who turns 30 in June and offers next-to-no resale value.
When asked about Wells this week, Dyche said: “He is going along nicely, we keep tabs on him and know what he is doing.
“I know (QPR manager) Mark Warburton well and he is very pleased with him. We will monitor situations like we do, he is one of ours, so we are in control of that situation.”
Forest, like City, have been searching for a striker all window to help support Lewis Grabban, and have been credited with an interest in several of the same targets the Robins are considering including Connor Wickham, Eddie Nketiah and Lyle Taylor. Now they appear to have moved on to Wells, joining City and Wigan Athletic in coveting the striker who also boasts the highest shots-on-target ratio in the Championship with an impressive 60 per cent.
However, should they wish to pursue Wells, the Robins could still hold the trump card in negotiations due to Burnley’s long-standing interest in midfielder Josh Brownhill. The Premier League club are weighing up whether to make an offer for Brownhill now, as opposed to waiting until the summer when his £7m release clause becomes active and he is likely to be targeted by a host of top-flight clubs.
There is the consideration then that Burnley may look to include Wells as a makeweight in any bid for Brownhill ahead of next Friday’s transfer deadline.