Nahki Wells can become a better striker by ignoring Championship overtures and sticking with City next season.

The Bermudian is expected to be hot property this summer following his 26-goal campaign, with the likes of Burnley, Huddersfield, Leeds, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace all linked.

Wells still has another two years left on the contract he signed in September and the club will drive a hard bargain should any bids materialise.

But John Hendrie believes the 22-year-old would be best suited to focus on cracking League One at Valley Parade and not let his head get turned.

The City legend said: “My advice to Nahki would be to give it another go with Bradford City. I always say to young players that the key is building a career not a bank balance.

“If you move, you go for the right reasons to develop as a player not just for the finances.

“Nahki’s still young and he’s got all of his career ahead of him to make good dough.

“He’s not the finished article yet and he’s still got a bit of improving to do with his link-up play. That was probably why Greg Abbott let him go at Carlisle.

“He’s as well to stay with Bradford and develop even further here and do it against better players.

“Elsewhere, clubs won’t give him that time. You’ve got to win everyone over, the fans, the coaching staff and your team-mates.

“If you’re bought for big bucks, players are under pressure to produce from the start.”

Hendrie is not surprised by the speculation surrounding City’s top scorer. But the club’s promotion and Capital One Cup success has put them in a strong position to fend off the poachers.

He added: “It shows how well the club are doing if people are now looking at Nahki and others. But if you’ve got someone with 26 goals there’s no doubt that someone will come sniffing.

“Every club are in the market for a goalscorer and Nahki has grown incredibly well into a predatory striker.

“But it’s not as if City are in a position where they are desperate to sell because they need the money. For the first time in years, they are financially strong because of the cup run. They’ve got Nahki under contract and, if it comes to it, will only lose him on their terms.

“But I’d say to him: ‘Do well with Bradford this season and it builds up your pedigree.’

“He’s only played League Two up to now. If he goes up to the next level and does well again, then there will be potential suitors out there.”

Meanwhile, 16-year-old centre half Niall Heaton has returned to City from Liverpool.

The England schoolboy international joins as a second-year apprentice with the option of a one-year pro contract.

Head of youth Peter Horne said: “There were a few other clubs of probably a higher stature interested in Niall but he chose to come back to Bradford. I think that says something about where the club are going.”

*Motherwell midfielder Nicky Law, who had two successful loan spells at City, has signed a pre-contract agreement at Ibrox that will see him officially become a Rangers player when their transfer embargo expires on September 1.