Wells ready to make step up

Four more days and Nahki Wells will finally have some clarity regarding his future.

When the transfer window slams shut on Monday, either Bradford City’s hard-nosed approach to keep their star man will have been successful (until January at least) or the lure of a big cash offer will have been too much to turn down. QPR are hovering, according to reports.

There is some merit in saying Wells should stay where he is, get used to League One — although in truth the step up from League Two is overstated — and continue his development.

But the top players rarely stand still for long. Frankly, the time feels right for Wells, who takes on Stevenage tomorrow, to find out whether he can handle the Championship.

If anyone was in any doubt as to the 23-year-old’s ability and single-mindedness, his blistering start to this season will have put paid to that. In a recent interview with the Sun, Wells was asked whether he was surprised with how he has dealt with going up a division.

“But I didn’t think I would not deal with it,” was the flatline response that spoke volumes of his self-belief. He also, I would bet a large sum, has no doubts he would score goals in the Championship.

City are desperate to keep him, knowing he could be the difference between another promotion bid and mid-table.

Manager Phil Parkinson told the Telegraph & Argus: “It’s fairly difficult at this point to let anyone go because it would be almost impossible to bring someone in. It’s something we don’t want.”

But every club has a breaking point in terms of price and QPR, if the reports bear fruit, will surely test that out. The move is bound to appeal to Wells. 

Sometimes players just can’t be held back. Nahki is ready.