Lightbourne: Wells ready for big-money move

Kyle Lightbourne believes now is the right time for Nahki Wells to make the step up to a Championship or even a Premier League club.

Lightbourne, who enjoyed a long career in England, with Walsall, Stoke and Macclesfield among his teams, is adamant his fellow countryman can go ‘all the way’ and says Bradford City striker Wells’ ability and consistency mean he is ready to test himself at a bigger club.

Wells, 23, has scored 13 goals already this season, having finished last campaign as the Bantams' top marksman with 26.

And with the January transfer window looming and Bradford City’s co-chairman Mark Lawn offering the clearest indication yet the club may reluctantly sell, Lightbourne believes £2m-rated Wells should seize the moment if the right opportunity comes his way.

“If the chairman says those things, nine times out 10 things do happen,” he told the Bermuda Sun. “Clubs often put things out there to test the water.”

Lightbourne wants to see Wells take on the challenge of establishing himself at a top Championship club with a rich history, like Leeds United, or look to the so-called second tier Premier League teams.

He said: “He should be aiming at clubs in the Championship with the potential to get back in the Premier League and that have good tradition — or clubs in the Premier League where he could develop.”

“West Ham, Southampton, Fullam, West Brom… those are the sort of teams he should be looking at," he added. "Realistically, that’s where you want to see him proving himself. I think he could cope at that level.

"Nahki’s done so well at Bradford and it looks like the opportunity may come in January. He’s been consistent and he’s put in a lot of good groundwork and a lot of good work.

"Hopefully he gets the chance. He’s a at a very good age [to move] and I think he can go all the way.

“Bradford is a club that could possibly hold their own in the Championship so it’s a tricky sort of situation but it’s a short career."

More in Wednesday’s Bermuda Sun.