Bradford City have resigned themselves to the strong possibility that they will lose Nahki Wells, their leading scorer, in the January transfer window.

Having recently agreed terms with James Hanson, the Bermudian’s strike partner for the past two seasons, the Sky Bet League One club see their most pressing piece of business as securing the services of the player who was so influential in helping to win promotion from League Two in 2012-13.

But Julian Rhodes, the joint chairman, is pessimistic about the West Yorkshire club’s chances of getting the 23-year-old to sign an extension with only 18 months left on his existing deal.

“We have to be prepared for all eventualities and at the moment there are three scenarios,” Rhodes told the Telegraph & Argus, in Bradford. “Yes, Nahki might be sold; yes, he might stay to the end of the season or, maybe, we might be able to extend his contract. Now we have tied up James, we would like to do the same with Nahki long-term, but I can’t see this happening.

“He can probably earn a lot more elsewhere, so if that’s the case and Nahki is not going to be here beyond this contract, we have to look at any offers if they come in, whether that’s in the next transfer window or the one after that.

“It would be naive not to think that the vast majority of clubs, certainly in the Football League and maybe even beyond that, might be interested in him. Everybody wants goalscorers.”

Rhodes’s candour set in motion a furious debate by Bradford supporters over the virtues of selling or holding on to the club’s most prized asset. Bradford are eighth in League One at present and Wells’s 14-goal haul, the most recent coming in the 1-1 draw away to Oldham Athletic last Sunday, has been central to that.

“I would love to be able to hold on to him but I know people are watching him because he is such a talent,” said Phil Parkinson, the manager, when he learnt that several scouts were among the 7,180 in attendance at Boundary Park on Sunday.

“His finishing is exceptional, which he showed again today, and his ratio of goals per game is terrific. He has come up a level with us this season, but he continues to rise to every challenge that is put in front of him.”

The pick of almost 50 postings on the subject of Wells’s future came from DingDangDoo!!!.

“It is no secret that Nahki would now be playing for QPR if Harry Redknapp had managed to create space in his squad by shipping Andrew Johnson out to Crystal Palace during the last transfer window,” the posting began. “From that time at the end of August, Nahki has not only maintained his previous level of performance but actually improved it, so QPR will definitely be back in for him in January, among others.

“People on here that are warning Nahki to be careful what he wishes for, well put yourself in his position and have a think as to what you would do yourself. Coming from his roots in Bermuda, if he signed for QPR he would be living in Central London in a better house, better car and with more money, as well as playing at a higher level. Throw the prospect of working with Harry Redknapp into it as well; it’s a no-brainer from Nahki’s point of view.

“From the point of view of all connected with BCFC, I think that the ideal scenario for us would be to sell him for £3?million plus add-ons and loan him back for the rest of the season. Everyone is happy then, but like someone else has mentioned on this post, the key to all of this is how wisely the money gets invested because that could make or break our immediate future!”

Wells, who has scored 52 goals in 108 appearances for Bradford since signing as a free agent on his 21st birthday, on June 1, 2011, having failed to break into the Carlisle United first team during a four-month stay, is next in action on Saturday week at home to Leyton Orient, the league leaders.

Then comes the hectic holiday fixture list, with Bradford having to play five matches in two weeks.

After which much shall be revealed about the future of English football’s hottest commodity outside the top two tiers and where he goes next.