Post by South Stand Ultra on Jun 16, 2018 11:52:31 GMT
Sorry if posted already, had a quick look and couldn't see anything!
Former striker linked with a return to St James' Park
Tom Nichols is being linked with a return to Exeter City, two-and-a-half years after he left St James’ Park.
The 24-year-old striker left in February 2016 after scoring 12 goals at the start of the 2015/16 season, including the memorable first goal against Liverpool in a thrilling 2-2 AF Cup draw with the Merseyside giants at St James’ Park.
Peterborough United paid a fee of around £350,000 for his services, but since leaving Devon, Nichols has found the going tough, with the goals drying up for the Wellington-born frontman.
The 24-year-old striker left in February 2016 after scoring 12 goals at the start of the 2015/16 season, including the memorable first goal against Liverpool in a thrilling 2-2 AF Cup draw with the Merseyside giants at St James’ Park.
Peterborough United paid a fee of around £350,000 for his services, but since leaving Devon, Nichols has found the going tough, with the goals drying up for the Wellington-born frontman.
At Peterborough, he scored 14 times in 58 appearances before returning to the Westcountry at the start of last season in a £350,000 deal that saw him join Bristol Rovers.
However, Nichols scored just twice in 45 appearances for the Gas, although he was largely used as a substitute with 23 of those appearances coming off the bench.
Rovers are believed to be keen on bolstering their strikeforce and have been linked with a move for AFC Wimbledon’s out-of-contract striker Lyle Tayor, but having parted with such a significant sum of money for Nichols 12 months ago, the Pirates are likely to want to get something in return for his services.
It is highly unlikely Exeter would pay that much for their former Academy product, with their record transfer fee the £100,000 they forked out for Jayden Stockley last summer.
They know what they’d be getting with Nichols, though, who would also be commanding far bigger wages that he picked up the last time he was in Devon.
However, Nichols scored just twice in 45 appearances for the Gas, although he was largely used as a substitute with 23 of those appearances coming off the bench.
Rovers are believed to be keen on bolstering their strikeforce and have been linked with a move for AFC Wimbledon’s out-of-contract striker Lyle Tayor, but having parted with such a significant sum of money for Nichols 12 months ago, the Pirates are likely to want to get something in return for his services.
It is highly unlikely Exeter would pay that much for their former Academy product, with their record transfer fee the £100,000 they forked out for Jayden Stockley last summer.
They know what they’d be getting with Nichols, though, who would also be commanding far bigger wages that he picked up the last time he was in Devon.
At 24, Nichols will not want his career to stagnate though, and if he is out of favour at the Memorial Ground, then he may have to move on to get his career back on track.
Exeter would be the perfect platform for him to do just that, but if the deal is to happen, then there is sure to be lots of negotiations to take place between the two clubs and with the player himself to bring him back to Devon.
Nichols made his City debut at Hillsborough in the famous 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the 2010/11 season as a raw 17-year-old.
Exeter would be the perfect platform for him to do just that, but if the deal is to happen, then there is sure to be lots of negotiations to take place between the two clubs and with the player himself to bring him back to Devon.
Nichols made his City debut at Hillsborough in the famous 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the 2010/11 season as a raw 17-year-old.