Derby County, Charlton Athletic and Carlisle United plotting move for Bradford City striker | OneFootball

Highlights

Three League One sides are said to be in a transfer battle for Bradford City striker Jake Young as we edge towards the final weeks of the January transfer window.

Young enjoyed a stellar loan spell at Swindon Town in the first half of the League Two campaign after being deemed surplus to requirements by the Bantams in the summer, but saw his spell at the County Ground cut short.

Now, Bradford could face the prospect of losing his services for a third time, only this time it may be on a permanent basis.

Derby County and Charlton Athletic in three-way race for Jake Young

Two of League One's big hitters in terms of reputation have been linked with a move for the 22-year-old in the form of Derby County and Charlton Athletic, alongside third tier strugglers Carlisle United - who ironically defeated Bradford on their way to a successful fourth tier play-off campaign last term.

That's according to Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas, who reported on the outlet's live transfer centre (13:00, 19th January), that the trio of clubs are all interested in striking a deal with Bradford, although none have made a concrete offer at present.

The report goes on to state that Graham Alexander views Young as part of his plans as his side look to make a charge for the play-offs in the second half of the season, as Bradford currently find themselves seven points behind his former club MK Dons, who occupy the final place in the top seven at present.

Paul Simpson issues brutal price tag verdict on Jake Young

While no price tag has been publicly revealed as yet, Carlisle boss Paul Simpson hasn't dismissed the Cumbrians' interest in the former Sheffield United youth product but claims that Bradford are asking for too high of a fee, as his current employers believe such numbers would be the only way an exit from Valley Parade materialises.

“He’s a player who we all like but we can't afford him,” he said after Carlisle's recent defeat at Barnsley. “Bradford are talking a ridiculous figure so that won't be happening.”

"From what I’m hearing the figure they’re quoting is way out of our league, and certainly not a figure that I would expect anybody to be paying for him.” Simpson concluded.

Graham Alexander hits back at Paul Simpson verdict

Unsurprisingly, those comments have somewhat stirred the pot in this ongoing transfer saga, with Alexander claiming that Simpson's remarks were "wrong."

"Plain and simple, it's wrong," Alexander said via the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"I spoke to the manager (Simpson) myself last week when he asked me about him. I told him my thoughts on Jake, that I didn't want to sell him. I couldn't have been any clearer.

"I don't think he has any right at all to set a price on any other team's player, to be honest, so I didn't really get where he was coming from," he continued.

"I spoke to Jake myself and made it clear my thoughts and ideas about him,”

"Then he (Simpson)'s decided to say what he said after his game. It was completely wrong."

A savvy addition for Derby or Charlton

Given Young's form, it would be a savvy addition for either Paul Warne or Michael Appleton, and given their position in League One, it would be a more attractive proposition from the forward's point of view.

Given the Rams' reported interest in Macauley Langstaff and Charlton's interest in Freddie Ladapo and Uche Ikpeazu, it's clear where the two sides' priorities in the market lie, and they could do far worse than add the 22-year-old to their ranks.

However, this would prove to be an untimely blow for Bradford who must gather momentum in League Two, and fast.