Bradford City hesitation opens Stockport County door - Graham Alexander may face unwanted hurdle | OneFootball

Bantams left-back Lewis Richards is gathering interest from Stockport County as he is yet to sign a new deal with club.

Bradford City star Lewis Richards could be on his way out of the club in the coming days, with signs of a new deal yet to emerge.

The left-back, who helped the Bantams to League Two promotion last season, was offered a new contract in May, but has not put pen to paper thus far. Reports of interest from League One side Stockport Country has fuelled speculation that he may in fact be on the move.

After playing 22 league games last season, Richards found himself struggling to break into the side after Christmas, partly due to the form of Crystal Palace loanee Tayo Adaramola. That said, he played a pivotal role in Bradford's promotion, notably scoring in two consecutive games against Barrow and Grimsby in January.

Richards likely to be at a League One outfit

If reports that Dave Challinor's side are monitoring the 23-year-old in hope of securing his signature are true, Richards faces a difficult choice.

City and Stockport become direct league rivals next season, so Alexander will want to stay clear of strengthening a fellow competitor. Last campaign, the Hatters mounted an impressive promotion bid upon their return to League One, narrowly missing out on the automatics in third place. The club would go on to lose to Leyton Orient on penalties in the play-offs.

However, the choice would be down to Richards if Bradford don’t offer him new, new terms, and he will likely want to play in the third tier.

Speculation has ramped up in recent days, after Bradford announced the signing of ex-Wimbledon wing-back Josh Neufville. Arriving on a three-year deal, Neufville featured in all 49 of Wimbledon’s League Two games last term, culminating in a play-off promotion at the expense of Walsall. Operating as a defensively solid and both-sided, fast full-back, he will provide added competition for stalwart Brad Halliday, who has continuously impressed at right-back for the club.

Neufville’s arrival does temper expectations that fan-favourite Adaramola could return from Crystal Palace, and manager Graham Alexander will see the pair as like for like. Though it is not yet known whether he is a replacement for the latter, for Richards, or for both.

Ruthless City yet to make decision

City have made a fast start to their summer transfer business, and Neufville’s arrival marks the club’s fourth incoming. Max Power, Joe Wright, and Curtis Tilt have all joined City, and a fifth is set to be announced before the squad begin pre-season on 23rd June.

While there has been no official communication from the club regarding the hold up in negotiations with Richards, it is likely that external interest is delaying any agreement that may be reached. If he were to depart, he would be another in a string of players to leave the club after promotion last season. Bradford have already let go of winger Jamie Walker, defender Romoney Crichlow, and club captain Richie Smallwood, proving to be ruthless after such a strong campaign.

Speaking to the Telegraph and Argus, Alexander has since admitted that his decision to release Smallwood was a difficult one.

Ultimately, the book rests with Alexander, and if City are to be successful in League One, he must not be afraid to make these kinds of decisions. The same may prove true with Richards.

Replacing him is something Bradford haven't planned for, and seeing him join not just a rival in the division, but a potential rival in the play-off hunt, is far from ideal. It's a hurdle that Alexander needs to tackle head-on in this ruthless new era the club finds itself in.