READING FC have reignited their interest in long-term target Nahki Wells.

Unconfirmed rumours suggest Royals are willing to splash out a staggering £10m to lure the striker away from Premier League new boys Huddersfield Town.

That would smash Reading’s previous record transfer fee which stands at £3.5m for Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori.

But reports say boss Jaap Stam could be ready to bid almost three times that amount to land 27-year-old Wells.

Wells is heading into the final year of his contract with Huddersfield and his chances of regular football in the top flight could be limited next season.

Terriers boss Wagner has been strengthening his strikeforce since the Championship play-off final win over Reading in May after drafting in Steve Mounie, 22, from Montepellier for a club-record fee, while Belgium striker Laurent Depoitre, 28, joined from Porto.

And the German admitted he will listen to offers for Wells, though he confirmed no official bid has been received for the Bermudian frontman.

Wagner told the Huddersfield Examiner: “Everybody can see how high the quality is of the strikers we’ve brought in.

“There is Mounié, Depoitre and we still have Elias Kachunga and Collin Quaner who are able to play there.

“This isn’t the best situation for Nahki and, of course, he is the name who is on the market – so we will listen if there is some serious interest in him.”

Reading Chronicle:

Nahki Wells has been a long-term target for Reading FC. Picture: Andrew Vaughan/CameraSport.

Wells played a full part in helping Huddersfield reach the top division last season for the first time since 1972.

He made 47 appearances over the campaign, scoring 10 goals, and featured in the play-off final at Wembley when Huddersfield beat Royals in a penalty shootout.

Wells was previously Terriers’ record signing after joining from Bradford for £1.3m in 2014 at a time when Reading were also showing strong interest.

He has gone on to score 49 goals in 153 appearances, but now appears surplus to requirements at the west Yorkshire club.

The Chronicle understands Reading could now step up their interest in Wells, though it is unlikely they will go as high as the £10m that has been quoted.

Royals boss Jaap Stam is eager to bring in striker reinforcements as Yann Kermorgant is several weeks away from fitness following recent surgery and Joseph Mendes is also nursing a knock and could miss the start of the Championship season which begins with a trip to QPR on Saturday week.

Stam has brought in Icelandic forward Jon Dadi Bodvarsson from Wolves for a fee that could rise to £3m based on appearances and add-ons.

But after selling Dominic Samuel to Blackburn Rovers for around £500,000 and sending Deniss Rakels to Lech Poznan on a season-long loan, Stam’s options up front appear to be limited.

The Dutchman had been linked with a £4m swoop for Brighton’s Tomer Hemed, but Seagulls boss Chris Hughton insisted the Israel striker ‘is going nowhere’ earlier this week.

Royals were also said to be eyeing Aston Villa’s out-of-favour Ross McCormack, but the £8m asking price is likely to put Stam off.

Meanwhile, ex-Reading loan striker Lewis Grabban has joined Sunderland on loan for the season from Premier League Bournemouth.