Nahki Wells has revealed that talks are yet to begin over extending his stay at Bristol City as the Bermudian international enters the final months of his current contract at Ashton Gate.
The 34-year-old joined the Robins in January 2020 under the management of Lee Johnson and has so far made 210 appearances for the Reds in all competitions, scoring 43 goals in the process.
While most supporters expected summer signings Fally Mayulu and Sinclair Armstrong to lead the line most weeks at Ashton Gate, Wells has been Liam Manning’s main man at the top end of the pitch starting nine of the Reds’ opening 18 Championship games.
His last contract extension saw him put pen to paper on a two year deal late on in 2022 and although the forward is keen to remain in the west country, he is yet to open talks over extending his say.
“There’s been no discussion at the minute,” Wells told Bristol Live in a press conference on Wednesday. “I’m just trying to let my football do the talking.
“I know at this stage of your career, you’re not going to be prioritised like some of the younger players who have bigger values and I guess what’s meant to be will be.
“If I continue to play in this rich vein of form, keep scoring and keep contributing then we all know the answer to the question and what will happen. Fingers crossed we’ll cross that bridge sooner rather than later but no clue what’s happening, I’m up at the end of the year and I’m fighting for a contract and my future.
“I think everyone knows my view of the club, by view of the city and everything about the football club and not to toot my own horn but the impact I can have at the club. I just have to let the football do the talking and prove that I’m worth keeping around.”
Although Wells is the oldest player in Manning’s squad currently, he has proven to be one of the most reliable, with his five goals so far this season only bettered by Anis Mehmeti following his double against Plymouth Argyle last time out.
The City boss has managed the 34-year-old’s minutes with the Bermudian forward yet to play a full 90 minutes so far this season and Wells believes that has allowed him to produce some of his best performances in Bristol City colours.
“Age isn’t just a number,” admitted the forward. “But I feel like in the last five or six years, this is the best I have played consistently as well and I think this is the best team I’ve been fortunate enough to play in.
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“I’m just relishing that and trying to take those opportunities because as you get older you appreciate every minute you get, every opportunity you get because you kind of understand you don’t have it forever. Even though I’m a big believer that I do have so much more to offer, I understand the time is clicking and I just want to enjoy every second that I’m out there which I think is showing.”
Wells and the rest of his teammates will make the trip to Fratton Park on Saturday afternoon as they look to close the gap to the play-off positions against bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth.
Although there is no such thing as an easy game in the Championship, as both Manning and Chris Hogg have repeatedly insisted, the Bermuda forward admits that he can’t help but take into account John Mousinho’s side’s league position during his preparation.
“There’s no hiding about the fact you look at the table and kind of have a subconscious thought that if you’re going away to Leeds or you’re going away to Portsmouth, you have an understanding that there are two different levels of quality,” Wells admitted.
“But in that, we know that they’re fighting for something different as well. Away games are always tough, but we’ve found a formula to pick up points away from home. In recent weeks we’ve been very good away from home so we can take huge confidence from that, but we’re preparing for a tough game.”