Bradford City are finally in a position to take Nahki Wells action | OneFootball

Rumours are circling of a Nahki Wells return to The Bantams amid contract uncertainty at Bristol City.

Bradford City icon Nahki Wells is rumoured to be on the way back to Valley Parade once again, 11 years after he left to join close rivals Huddersfield Town.

Wells’ future is currently undecided at Championship side Bristol City, but he has been some speculation to return to the Bantams following their League Two promotion. Integral to the Bradford team that went to the League Cup final in 2013, Wells struck up a formidable partnership with teammate James Hanson. In fact, 49 of his 53 City goals came alongside partner Hanson, cementing their legacy as one of the club’s greatest double acts. The Bermudian went on to score 26 goals that season, culminating in Bradford’s promotion at Wembley.

Wells scored the third City goal in a 3-0 victory over Northampton Town in the 2012/13 League Two Play-Off Final to crown an impressive year. He continued his scoring form the following season, going on to win League One player of the month after bagging five in August 2013.

However, his club legend status was tarnished slightly when he joined Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield in 2014. Wells would go on to be prolific for The Terriers, QPR, and Bristol City, tallying 174 goals in his club career.

Bristol City still preferred home for Bermudian

The now-departed Bristol City manager Liam Manning had previously advocated for the club to offer Wells a new deal. Speaking to Bristol Live before the play-off second leg against Sheffield United in May, the player expressed a desire to remain at the side.

Wells helped The Robins to a top six finish in 2024/25, only to fall to The Blades in the semis with a 6-0 battering on aggregate.

Despite encouraging contract signs, he is now 35, and the South-West club may look to free up the wage bill in favour of a younger goalscorer, opening the door to Bradford speculation.

Rumours swirl again as familiar name reappears for Bradford

Talk online suggests that Bradford are an option should Wells not be offered a new deal at Bristol City. Yes, other clubs will be interested, but supporters are convinced that this time, he will return to Graham Alexander’s side. However, it may be due to different reasons than fans expect.

Wells has shown that he is not one for sentiment; his move from City to Huddersfield lies plain and clear, but Bradford can offer much more than that this time. Every year, City fans seem to be clamouring for Wells’ return, but the club has been unable to do so thus far. Now that the club are back in League One, a potential move is much more viable. Wells could see a drop to the third tier as a good move for his career. Now in his twilight years, he could help Bradford mount a serious play-off bid, and if last season is anything to go by, Wells can still do a job in the Championship. Scoring 10 goals last term, he is showing no signs of slowing down in front of goal.

Make no mistake, Wells would not be coming back primarily for nostalgic reasons - that would be a bonus if this dream saga develops.

That said, a stumbling block could arise over his high wage demands. Wells will be earning healthy Championship money, and Bradford simply can’t offer that. Alexander and the board must question whether it is worth bending the wage structure to bring back a veteran forward, when that money could be invested elsewhere. If not, the striker would have to take a pay cut to get a move over the line.

Nothing substantial has been reported yet, but this is the closest that this rumour has come to actually being realised. Wells faces a big decision in the coming days, but City fans will be hoping that it settles in their favour.