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City eager to extend Wells’ contract

Bradford City have played down talks of Nahki Wells quitting the club and are hoping to nail him down to a new four-year contract.The League Two side have opened talks with the 21-year-old in a bid to fend off interest in the striker from suitors in the higher divisions.It’s understood Wells, who has bagged 12 goals this season including a hat-trick against Northampton Town, has already been watched by scouts from Reading United and Charlton Athletic.Despite the rumours linking Wells with a move away from Valley Parade, the club are confident of keeping the Bermuda international long-term.Wells signed last summer on a one-year deal, with the club having the option, which they activated in March, to take him for a further season on the same wages.He is believed to be one of the lowest-paid players in the squad.City’s director of operations, David Baldwin, said talks between Wells’ agent and the club had been encouraging.“Discussions are taking place about a long-term contract. The second-year activation of the clause was from the very first offer,” he said.“As an asset for this club, we would like to get Nahki tied down for the long term. His agent is keen to do a deal. We’ve had talks and it’s now with the agent to come back to me.”Should Wells leave the club at the end of his current deal next summer, Bradford would receive a compensation package as the ex-Dandy Town man is under the age of 24.Baldwin added: “Should we not come to an agreement, then as long as we offer him equal or improved terms before the end of next season then we have compensation protection for the following year because he is under 24.“We’re hoping it will not come to that, because we want to get Nahki tied down, but it would still be a sizeable figure.”In a recent interview with The Royal Gazette,Bermuda Hogges owner Paul Scope said he believed City had made a potentially costly mistake by initially only extending Wells’ deal by 12 months.“I was surprised they only gave Nahki a one-year extension and now they’ve put themselves in a situation where they’re potentially vulnerable and they really can’t complain about it,” said Scope.“Nahki’s 21 years old, he’s not 16, so he should be looking to be on a good wage. To my mind, Bradford made a business decision by extending his contract without improving it and I think they have left themselves vulnerable.”Wells has emerged as one of City’s main attacking threats striking up a potent partnership with James Hanson.They have netted 27 goals between them this term, with City boss Phil Parkinson having high hopes for the deadly duo.“Not many clubs in this division will be going into the summer with a front two of the calibre of Hanson and Wells,” said Parkinson.“They chase everything but now they’re also linking the play and really getting hold of the ball.“I lost count of the number of times the ball’s gone into them and they are setting each other up.“I really feel those two are coming of age. I can only see positives in them because they will get better.”