Liam Manning has confirmed Nahki Wells won’t be “going anywhere” during the January transfer window, with speculation around the forward coming as news to the Bristol City boss.
Wells, who joined the Robins from Burnley in January 2020, is entering the final months of his contract at Ashton Gate having put pen to paper on his last deal with City in 2022.
The Bermudian international has been a regular starter when fit this season and is playing some of the best football of his career in the West Country. In 21 league appearances, the 34-year-old has five goals and three assists to his name and his performances have been better than the statistics suggest.
Despite his good form so far this term, Wells told Bristol Live earlier this season that talks over a contract extension were yet to begin. With less than six months remaining on his deal, the striker could now agree a pre-contract agreement with a club overseas and leave Ashton Gate on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Reports have suggested that several clubs are exploring a potential deal for the Robins forward during the January transfer window, but Manning insists contract talks with 34-year-old will happen “as and when”.
“I’ll take that, a Nahki and Mo Salah comparison. He’s going to be delighted when he hears that,” the Reds boss joked when asked if Wells’ situation was similar to that of Liverpool winger Salah. “Those rumours are news to me. In my opinion, he’s not going anywhere.
“There are so many rumours everywhere right? Nahki’s top, I think he loves being here and I think the level of his game is in a really good spot. We love him, and those talks will happen as and when.”
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Having invested heavily during the summer transfer window, the expectation in and around Ashton Gate is that January may be a rather quiet month in terms of incomings in BS3. Of course, you can never say never in the transfer market, but it would be a surprise to see Manning and Brian Tinnion make wholesale changes to the playing squad before February rolls around.
Although the City head coach has already attempted to manage supporters’ expectations, he admits he would be keen to make additions to his squad as the Reds look to embark on a real play-off push.
“Probably quite quiet,” Manning replied when asked what his expectations were for January. “I would love to add, but I think it’s probably more a case of moving a few on before we can do anything.
“I probably anticipate it being relatively quiet, so not too many signings no.”