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If today’s reports are to be believed, Reading’s hunt for a striker could soon be at an end. That striker is Nahki Wells, whose 10 league goals last season fired Huddersfield Town to promotion (let’s move swiftly past that).
The Daily Mirror got the ball rolling this afternoon, claiming fairly vaguely that - due to his contract expiring in summer 2018, Wells’ Huddersfield future “is in doubt”. This evening, The Guardian’s deputy sports news editor Ed Aarons backed that up:
Reading are set to offer £10m for Huddersfield striker Nahki Wells
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) July 26, 2017
£10,000,000. Wow.
Beyond those two reports, we’ve got nothing else to go on, so don’t ask us how long the contract would be if Wells signed, or how many cans of Sugar Free Green Apple Carabao would be in his announcement photos.
If true, that bid would utterly crush anything Reading have ever paid for a player, so would be a huge statement of intent by the club’s owners. That said, is it justifiable for a striker going into the last year of his contract? I’ll let you make up your own mind.
UPDATE: Since original publication, Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner confirmed that no bid had been received from Reading, but suggested it could be considered if it came in.
Asked Wagner if been a bid for Nahki Wells from Reading. Said not the case but added could understand #htafc man being frustrated (cont)
— Richard Sutcliffe (@RSootyYPSport) July 26, 2017
Wagner “This is not the best situation for Nahki and, of course, he is a name that is on the market. #htafc
— Richard Sutcliffe (@RSootyYPSport) July 26, 2017
Wagner "We will listen if there is serious interest in him but, at the minute, we want to make sure Nahki is back in training." #htafc
— Richard Sutcliffe (@RSootyYPSport) July 26, 2017
What would Reading be getting for their money?
In short, a 27 year-old Bermudan striker who reliably scores goals. In his 271 game professional career - including stints at Carlisle United, Bradford City and Huddersfield Town - he’s found the net 106 times.
Side note - 106 goals - is that an omen? No. Shut up, BucksRoyal.
Wells, a pacey but physically unimposing forward, plays as an out-and-out central striker, and did lead the line on his own for The Terriers under David Wagner in the German’s 4-2-3-1.
Due to all of that, he’d be a good fit both for a lone central role in an attacking trio (4-3-3), or partnering someone like Kermorgant, Mendes or Bodvarson in a 3-5-2.
Of course, all the above is irrelevant in the likelihood that this rumour isn’t actually true.