Bradford City ready to beat Stockport County to 13-goal striker | OneFootball

Bradford City are set to beat Stockport County to a deal to sign a Burton Albion star

Bradford City are keen to solve their striker issue this summer, and Stockport County could suffer from the Bantams' latest move in the transfer market.

Graham Alexander's men performed admirably well to clinch a League One play-off spot in 2026, just one year on from winning promotion from League Two to the third tier.

However, the West Yorkshire club were beaten in the semi-finals by eventual promotion winners Bolton Wanderers, who hammered Stockport 4-1 in the play-off final last Bank Holiday Monday.

Bradford are now eager to complete strong business in the summer transfer window, which opens on June 15, amid their aspirations to launch another promotion bid next term.

Bradford City ready to sign Burton Albion ace eyed by Stockport County

Stockport are also vying for a fruitful summer transfer window following their League One play-off final defeat to Bolton.

Furthermore, County are now tasked with appointing a new manager after long-serving and well-respected boss Dave Challinor departed Edgeley Park via mutual consent.

Challinor won the National League title with Stockport in 2022 before clinching a further promotion from League Two in 2024.

The former Hartlepool United boss has subsequently made the Greater Manchester club a League One powerhouse, steering them to consecutive third-place finishes.

Meanwhile, according to Alan Nixon on Patreon, Bradford are ready to clinch the signing of long-term transfer target Jake Beesley, despite late advances from Stockport.

Nixon's report adds that the Bantams' deal for Beesley, who currently plays for Burton Albion, will end their interest in Preston North End striker Michael Smith, formerly of Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United.

The Burton man scored 13 goals and registered a further seven assists in 45 League One appearances for the Brewers in the 2025/26 season.

He only joined Gary Bowyer's side from Blackpool last summer, and has gone on to establish himself as a clinical attacker in the third tier.

Beesley's efforts helped Burton retain their League One status, as they finished 17th in the third tier, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Jake Beesley is exactly what Bradford need to launch fresh promotion bid

Bradford deserve plenty of credit for the fact that they came relatively close to winning promotion to the Championship in their first season back in League One.

However, one factor that made the Bantams less dangerous than their 2025/26 promotion rivals was that the West Yorkshire side couldn't settle on one striker to consistently lead the line.

The only players in Alexander's squad who notched double figures in League One were Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon, who are attacking midfielders.

Alexander rotated between the likes of Stephen Humphrys and Will Swan, who scored seven goals and six goals, respectively, in the third tier.

Meanwhile, Ethan Wheatley and Paul Mullin, who respectively joined the Bantams on loan from Manchester United and Wrexham, both failed to score.

Therefore, acquiring a new forward is a clear priority for Alexander once the summer transfer market opens, and an issue which appears set to be rectified by Beesley.

The Burton man should be able to score more goals if and when he signs for Bradford, as he will be surrounded by better teammates than the ones he had at Albion.