Bradford City eyeing EFL Championship transfer after play-off heartbreak | OneFootball

The Bantams are targeting a man with an admirable record in League One.

Bradford City may have suffered defeat in the League One play-offs, but they will certainly fancy their chances of promotion next season.

The Bantams enjoyed a stellar return to the third tier after a six-year absence, finishing in fourth, but were powerless to stop Bolton Wanderers in the play-off semi-finals before they defeated Stockport County in the final.

While it would be easy to sit back and admire the progress made at Valley Parade, the West Yorkshire club will be figuring out how they can improve next term, with player recruitment central to that.

Indeed, it seems that Bradford are targeting a man with heaps of Championship experience to drive them to the second tier.

Bradford City interested in Preston North End striker Michael Smith

While Graham Alexander's side enjoyed a successful return to the third tier, there are certain areas they must improve if they are to go one better and reach the Championship.

Only four teams in League One bettered Bradford's defence, but in attack, the West Yorkshire outfit managed 58 goals and were bettered by 13 clubs, including 20th-placed Leyton Orient.

Antoni Sarcevic finished the campaign as the Bantams' top scorer with 11 league goals, but now the club are eyeing a man who regularly bettered that number in the third tier.

And the man Bradford are keen on is Preston North End striker Michael Smith, according to Alan Nixon.

He reports that the Bantams want more options in attack and that the former Sheffield Wednesday hitman is on their list.

Nixon adds that while Smith is under contract at Deepdale, he may be allowed to move, noting that he commutes from Yorkshire, and that has been a drain on him.

Michael Smith could be a good signing for Bradford in League One

When analysing Smith's record and the Bantams' need for more goals, it is clear why Smith would be a target for Alexander's side.

The 34-year-old has a year left on his contract at Deepdale, and his lack of goals this season may mean that North End would be open to selling him.

Smith managed just three goals in 37 Championship appearances this term, and while he featured heavily as a starter at the beginning of the campaign, he was barely used at the back end.

That should not put off Bradford, though, as his record in the third tier makes for impressive reading.

The forward's last season in League One came in 2022-23 for Sheffield Wednesday when he notched 16 goals and six assists in the regular campaign before bagging a crucial goal in the play-off semi-finals as the Owls were promoted to the Championship.

The season prior, Smith was a roaring success with Rotherham United, netting 24 goals and seven assists in all competitions, including 18 in the league as the Millers were promoted, having finished second.

Yes, his record in the second tier has been underwhelming since, but if Bradford want to achieve promotion next season, then Smith would not only provide goals, but he is a man who has been promoted from the third tier several times.

Given that the 34-year-old would get regular playing time and the opportunity to play his football closer to home, it is easy to see why he would make a solid addition at Valley Parade.