Bradford City have alternative to Notts County man as Andy Cook competition as £750k hurdle lingers | OneFootball

Bradford City put off by Notts County forward's hefty price tag, and may have to look elsewhere.

Bradford City may have to put targeting the potential signing of Notts County star Alassana Jatta on hold after a major stumbling block has emerged.

City could well target the Gambian forward as cover for the injured star Andy Cook, but the club would have to pay a hefty fee – something they may not be willing to do. Back in January, The Guardian reported that then Championship side Plymouth Argyle had a £750,000 offer turned down by County, and any potential move could require upwards of seven figures.

Jatta would be well suited to League One after a fruitful campaign in the fourth tier, scoring 19 goals in 39 league games. Ultimately, his contribution was not enough to see the Magpies promoted, and Jatta was sent off in the play-off second leg against AFC Wimbledon.

His form will mean that higher clubs will inevitably come calling again this summer, but Bradford may have to rule themselves out of signing the 26-year-old given a potential £1m+ fee.

Bradford must be smart in the transfer window

While Bradford will want to capitalise on their momentum following promotion, the club must be financially diligent as they navigate the third tier. City have already begun making moves ahead of the summer transfer window, with the signing of midfielder Max Power from AGF Aarhus, and will need to strengthen further. Owner Stephan Rupp has been urged to continue investing after last season’s promotion success, so he must ensure that City act wisely in the market.

Manager Graham Alexander has spoken ahead of the transfer window, saying that the club need to "make every penny count".

This is a notion that Bradford may follow in their decision surrounding Jatta.

Club could look within for forward cover

So, with the County striker seemingly off the table for the time being, City will need to look elsewhere, and face a difficult task in replacing Cook in the meantime. The forward has been the club’s top goalscorer for the past five seasons and even topped the charts despite his curtailment this campaign. In his time at City, Cook has managed to fire himself to third in the club’s all-time leading scorers chart.

Bradford could look within, and choose to rely on the output of Calum Kavanagh. After signing for the club in February 2024, Kavanagh has become an important figure in the squad, with 14 league goal contributions in 24/25. Though there are some doubts that he can deliver the goods in a higher division, the Irishman certainly knows where the back of the net is. Kavanagh netted a first career hat-trick in City's 5-4 defeat to Swindon in April, and his tenacity in front of goal is popular with Alexander and the fans. If City decide against the pursuit of Jatta, Kavanagh is very much a viable attacking option.

The club will be acutely aware that they are entering a League in which spending is at an all-time high, but they have to conduct their business on their own terms. While City may re-evaluate their position on Jatta, Rupp must understand that he will eventually have to pull the chequebook out.