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Despite Huddersfield Town tying down a number of key personnel to new deals at the club, conspicuous in absence has been any news of Nahki Wells’ current contract situation.
While Chris Lowe, Elias Kachunga, Jonathan Hogg, Tommy Smith and Rajiv van La Parra have all been rewarded for their SkyBet Championship promotion exploits, the Bermudian forward has entered into the final year of his contract.
It seems, for whatever reason, the two parties have reached an impasse in extending the 27-year-old’s time from the current four-and-a-half year contract he signed when joining for a then-club record £1.3m from Bradford City back in January 2014.
Astonishing to think that record figure has already been broken six times this summer alone, but that is the changing landscape Huddersfield Town now find themselves in after Premier League promotion.
Arguably Wells stock was at the highest ahead of the last January transfer window where he appeared to cement himself as Town’s main man with a run of four goals in six crucial games between Bristol City at home on Saturday, December 10, and Wigan Athletic on Monday, January 2.
Speculation was rife at the time the striker was set for a move to rival Championship side Norwich City after head coach David Wagner revealed a new contract offer was rejected during the previous summer.
Speaking to the Examiner at the time, Wells said, “I think a bit of what came out (about the new contract rejection) has been misconstrued.
“If anyone questioned my attitude towards the season so far, I would strongly disagree.
“I am working hard and I will continue to do that.”
Yet a bid never came for the player – either from Norwich or any other club – and although his commitment couldn’t be questioned the flow of goals dried somewhat, with fellow striker Elias Kachunga eventually ending the campaign as the club’s top goalscorer with 13 goals (and all from a wider position than Wells’ central slot).
Indeed, despite his best efforts, Wells looked uncomfortable at times in Wagner’s high intensity 4-2-3-1 formation which requires the German’s ‘gegenpressing’ approach to begin at the top of the team.
Although Wells is not that sort of striker, more a natural goalscorer who thrives alongside an aerial strike partner such the one he had at Bradford in James Hanson, he performed his role admirably under difficult circumstances.
And again in March the player made all the right overtures regarding his Town future while simultaneously underlining his long-term desire to play in the Premier League.
The Play-Off final win over Reading at Wembley saw this dream fulfilled, but the question now is not only for how long at Huddersfield Town but how long will he remain a top-flight player?
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