Bristol City stars faced with major decision as Nahki Wells hailed

Nahki Wells took a pay-cut before signing a new contract with Bristol City, it has been revealed. The 32-year-old signed a new two-year deal which will keep him at Ashton Gate until the summer of 2025.

Wells is the Robins’ top scorer this season with eight goals in the Championship. He was one of ten players out of contract in the summer, and now the club have began to begin their plans of retaining those players.

New contracts have been offered to a majority of players out of contract, however three haven’t, which could prompt an early exit. Three players could depart the club in January, with there a hope of City conducting business in the transfer window, with the possibility of player exchanges.

For the players offered new contracts however, their deals are less than what they were offered when originally signed. Wells signed from Burnley in January 2020, but is now on reduced terms.

“We’ve offered contracts to a number of players who are out of contract and Nahki being one of those,” said Pearson to BBC Radio Bristol.

“The interesting thing is they will all be offered less what they are on now. Nahki is very happy to re-sign and I’m delighted he’s decided to stay with us. He will remain an important member of our squad and he is a goal scorer. He is also very good at helping the younger players out.”

Wells has forced his way back into first-team plans after last season’s campaign saw him take on a reduced role. The form of Chris Martin, Andi Weimann and Antoine Semenyo meant that he had only a substitute role. He played 34 times across all of last season, but only nine of those were starts. Wells scored three goals, and there would be months in between each strikes.

The former Burnley striker dropped down to the Under-21’s squad for game time on several occasions, building up a partnership with academy striker Tommy Conway. Conway has since graduated from the development team, and has been the most consistent strike partnership this season.

Pearson added: “Nahki is a very important member of our squad and has been right the way through. Last year was difficult for him but his behaviour and the way he was supportive of his teammates is exemplary.

“I’m not saying he gets a contract just because of that, he’s a player that is in his thirties but genetically he is not going to lose his pace, he’s a good athlete and he’s got a very boyish outlook on his football. For me, it’s a no brainer.”