The Bantams are beginning to look to next season as if their promotion hopes are all but dead following a downturn in form and the coronavirus pandemic, with yet another Summer rebuild being demanded by the City faithful. With a host of players currently at the club being linked with moves away, who could be replacing them in the claret and amber of Bradford City?
Alan Forrest- the brother of Celtic's starlet James Forrest, the Alan has been phenomenal on the wing for Ayr United in the Scottish Championship so far this season. The Scotsman is just 23 years old and has scored 10 goals in 25 games, nabbing 3 assists in that time. Whilst he would most likely be the most expensive on this list, City would have to fend off interest from several other higher clubs but if they were to secure his signature, he would be a standout player next season and would make League Two his own. Furthermore he is out of contract at the end of the season and so Bradford could perhaps get him on a free transfer.
Charlie Owens- the defensive midfielder can operate as a defender or as a deep lying playmaker, something which City has lacked since Romain Vincelot's departure to Crawley in 2018, and is out of contract at the end of the season. Owens is currently contracted to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship but spent last season on loan at Wycombe Wanderers in League One, where he continued to lack game time. Whilst the 22 year old has never really flourished under any team as of yet, he has lacked opportunities and has would fit in nicely at Valley Parade. Not only will he be inexpensive, he would find his feet nicely in League Two and help stabilise a poor Bantams midfield which has lacked leaders as of so far.
Jordan Turnbull- a man who was linked with a move to Valley Parade a few years ago before he opted to join Coventry City from Southampton, the 25 year old has already featured for five different clubs and is once again out of contract at the end of this season. He has plenty of experience with the likes of Northampton Town, Coventry City and Swindon Town in League Two and has made 31 appearances this season for the Cobblers, netting an impressive five goals from centre-back. He has been an ever-present in Northampton's play off push and has been linked with moves to higher division clubs, so the Bantams would have to fight for Turnbull's signature. He would help to solidify a shaky Bradford defence which has been poor so far this season as only Anthony O'Connor has come out with his head above the water.
Scott Quigley- with the National League season having been just deemed null and void, this leaves table toppers Barrow FC stuck in England's fifth tier for another year. Ex-Blackpool striker Quigley currently hold's the league's golden boot having recorder 20 goals so far this season, averaging a goal every 141 minutes of game time. Quigley will be looking to take on a new challenge after conquering the National League and will most likely try to force a move away from Holker Street. Entering the prime of his career, it may require a hefty fee out of Stefan Rupp's pocket to acquire the services of Quigley but the affect he could have on City's league season could be decisive. Lacking a lethal striker, Quigley could be the answer to Bradford's prayers.
Adam Marriott- continuing the theme of top scorers and strikers, moving down a league from Quigley is Kings Lynn Town's Adam Marriott. The former Lincoln City striker has bagged himself 28 goals against the likes of York City this season, averaging a goal an impressive 98 minutes. He has boosted the Linnets title challenge by netting 42 goals i 49 games in all competitive games which has gained the interest of a few non-league clubs. Like Quigley he is also in his prime of his career and would help to lead the line for the Bantams in next season's promotion target.
Jamie Sterry- one position which has been criticised heavily throughout the 2019/20 blizzard of Bradford City's season is the right-back position. One man who could make this position his own is Sterry, a English-Italian full-back who has come through the youth ranks at Newcastle United. Sterry, who has made three appearances for the Toon since signing his first professional contract back in 2015, actually made his Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur in the club's 5-1 vicotry before suffering relegation. In 2016 he joined League One Coventry City in their relegation season before spending the next two years on loan at Gresty Road with Crewe Alexandra. Now being aged 24, his contract is expiring at the end of the season and having League Two experience could earn his chance from McCall and become a crucial part of City's back line for next season.
Jon McLaughlin- a hero at Valley Parade, the experienced goalkeeper is out of contract at the end of the season at the Stadium of Light and could be looking for a way out. McLaughlin would most likely love to return to City as he enters his twilight years of his career at the age of 32, having played 32 games this season and conceding 27 goals, it looks as if he would be open to dropping down leagues to avoid another year on Netflix. McLaughlin has secured 11 clean sheets so far this season.
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