Bradford City star tipped for exit on one condition as Stockport County plot move | OneFootball

Bradford City defender Lewis Richards has been offered a new contract but interest from Stockport County could see him tempted

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Bradford City defender Lewis Richards has been offered a new contract to extend his stay at Valley Parade but reported interest from League One play-off contenders, Stockport County, could see the 23-year-old tempted by a move elsewhere this summer.

Richards, who joined the Bantams in August 2023, suffered an injury cutting some of his season short this campaign - with Crystal Palace loanee Tayo Adaramola establishing himself in the side. As per Mirror Reporter Dan Marsh, Stockport are interested in his services.

FLW's Bradford City pundit, Boris Thomson, presumes Richards' future hinges on whether the Bantams can secure Adaramola for another season, saying the loanee's performances have put him ahead in the pecking order.

Rational verdict delivered on Lewis Richards' Bradford City future

Before getting injured, Richards did establish himself as somewhat of a steady player for Bradford - but any work was undone following his injury against AFC Wimbledon, which allowed Adaramola to thrive.

"I think Lewis Richards’ future depends on whether we’re able to get Tayo Adaramola again for next season because Adaramola is - on paper and at the backend of the season - a better player than Lewis Richards," Boris exclaimed to FLW.

"He has kept Richards out of the squad, I know he’s had some injury issues that kept him out initially, but Adaramola was one of the driving forces in keeping us up, Lewis Richards didn’t get the game time he’d be wanting.

"I think a move to Stockport would be very appealing - they obviously made the playoffs, weren’t successful but would be looking for automatics next season and if not, playoffs at least.

"I think it’d be very attractive for him and I don’t think he has much allegiance at Valley Parade anymore, based off his lack of game time."

County Owner Mark Stott has previously spoken about focusing on recruiting players who need a platform after not fully making the transition from academy to senior football - with signings like Lewis Bate and Jack Diamond proving good examples of this philosophy.

Bate arrived on a free after failing to break into Leeds United's first team and earned a spot in the EFL's League One Team of the Season - whilst Diamond grew into an important player as The Hatters pushed for promotion.

Questions raised as to whether Lewis Richards will remain at Valley Parade

The new deal does suggest Graham Alexander shows faith in Richards, but it has to be argued that game time would be very limited - in the left wing-back position anyway if Adaramola came back.

Being 23, Richards is at a crucial stage in his development where he'd undoubtedly want to get back into first-team football as soon as possible, and Stockport's recent track record of developing players does make them an attractive proposition.

It remains unseen whether Richards chooses to continue his development at Bradford or seeks new pastures at Edgeley Park. It could very well come down to which club offers him the clearest pathway back to regular first-team football, something that seems far from guaranteed at Valley Parade if Adaramola returns.