Bristol City should plot QPR transfer raid as big Nahki Wells news is confirmed | OneFootball

Bristol City should make a move for QPR's Charlie Kelman after it was confirmed that Nahki Wells will leave Ashton Gate when his contract expires.

Bristol City are preparing for a new era under Gerhard Struber, with the Austrian trying to build on the good work that had been done by Liam Manning.

Whilst the ex-Barnsley chief will have his own way of playing, he will know that major changes aren’t required for a team that finished in the play-off places last season.

But, some change is inevitable, and the Robins have already confirmed one major outgoing, as they announced that Nahki Wells would be leaving when his contract expires next week.

Nahki Wells must be replaced by quality at Bristol City this summer

The 35-year-old was inconsistent in front of goal over the years at Ashton Gate, but Wells was a key figure under Manning in the previous campaign.

He made 41 appearances, scoring ten goals and registering four assists. What’s more, every goal he scored came in a game where Bristol City picked up at least a point, so he came up when they needed him most.

Therefore, Wells will be difficult to replace, but Struber will be in the market for at least one attacker, which will include trying to find an elusive goalscorer.

Charlie Kelman could flourish at Bristol City under Gerhard Struber

Of course, it’s easier said than done, and Bristol City won’t have the resources of some rivals when it comes to identifying proven strikers at this level.

But, there are quality players out there, and FLW has revealed previously that Bristol City are among a host of clubs tracking QPR’s Charlie Kelman.

It’s no surprise that the 23-year-old is attracting attention, as he just enjoyed a very prolific spell with Leyton Orient in League One, where he found the net 23 times in 49 games as the O’s lost in the play-off final.

That shows Kelman has the instincts you would want from a number nine, and he is an old-school striker in the sense that he has great movement in the box, and he is a smart one-touch finisher.

Kelman is also blessed with pace and the ability to stretch defences and get in behind, which may suit the way the Robins could look to be more direct and front-footed under Struber.

He is the sort of player that can be quiet for large chunks, but, out of nowhere, he will score, and Bristol City are crying out for someone who can finish the chances they create on a regular basis.

With the likes of Anis Mehmeti and Scott Twine in the squad, Bristol City have creative talents, and Kelman could be a player to occupy the defence and benefit from their individual quality on the ball.

Whether he would be willing to swap Loftus Road for Ashton Gate remains to be seen, and the R’s have had a turbulent summer themselves, with Julien Stephan poised to succeed Marti Cifuentes as the new head coach of the Londoners.

The new boss will have his own ideas about Kelman, but Bristol City should be pushing to do all they can to bring the ex- Southend man in.

Not only does Kelman score goals, but he also fits the profile of player that the Robins should be targeting due to his age and ability to improve.

Ultimately, this is going to be a huge summer for Bristol City and Struber, and new faces are expected as he looks to improve the squad. Arguably the most important addition will be a centre-forward, and Kelman could be the man to fire Bristol City into promotion contention once again.

Prising him away from QPR will not prove an easy task, of course, and the R's will surely be playing hardball when negotiating with any Championship rivals for Kelman. However, the Robins' hierarchy need to come out and back Struber in the market this summer after ex-boss Manning chose to walk away, and licensing him with a new, top-class striker could be the very best way to do that.