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Transfer tussle for Wells hots up

Transfer battle: A number of clubs have shown an interest in Nahki Wells

Nahki Wells has now become a target of neighbours West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City and Bristol City.

According to English media reports, the Championship trio are all keen to secure the services of the 29-year-old Bermudian striker who has received the green light from parent club Burnley to go on loan before the transfer deadline which expires today.

Swansea City were initially hoping to make a permanent bid to sign Wells, but their interests has since cooled off.

Wells signed a three-year deal with Burnley for £5 million in August 2017, but has yet to start a match since joining the Premier League side, making just ten substitute appearances.

He spent last season on loan at Championship side Queens Park Rangers, scoring nine goals in 48 appearances.

Regardless of where his future lies, Wells believes the next season will be crucial in terms of re-establishing his stuttering career after being unhappy with his goal return while at QPR.

“I’ve got a big point to prove,” he said. “There’s some uncertainty regarding my future; that’s obvious and I just know it’s a big, big season for me.

“The desire is there to show everyone I’m still a proven goalscorer and that level.”

The striker came on as a late substitute in Burnley’s 6-1 win over French Ligue 1 side Nice in a preseason friendly last week.

It was his first outing during preseason for the Premier League side, coming on for Chris Wood in the 82nd minute.

Wells returned to training two weeks ago, having been on international duty at the Concacaf Gold Cup, where he scored twice, a penalty in a 2-1 defeat to Costa Rica and a header in a 2-0 win against Nicaragua.

Wells, Bermuda’s first million-pound player and the first to play in a major English cup final (League Cup), has also had playing stints at Carlisle United, Bradford City and Huddersfield Town, whom he helped gain promotion to the Premier League during the 2016-17 season.

n Justin Donawa, the Darlington FC winger, came on as a 66th-minute substitute during his team’s National League North derby at home to Gateshead FC yesterday which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The visitors led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a goal from JJ O’Donnell. However, the home side responded after the restart as Michael Liddle levelled for the in the 79th minute from a corner.

Donawa’s Bermuda team-mate Osagi Bascome finished the encounter as an unused substitute.