Exclusive: Bradford City and Stockport County in transfer race for 'fantastic' EFL star | OneFootball

Bradford City and Stockport County are set to battle it out for Cheltenham Town winger Jordan Thomas, Football League World has learned

Bradford City and Stockport County are set to battle it out for the signing of Cheltenham Town attacker Jordan Thomas in a bid to bolster their respective League One promotion ambitions in the January transfer window, sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World.

The League One promotion-chasing pair are currently tussling together for promotion to the Championship, having each emerged as strong contenders throughout the first-half of the campaign.

Bradford, who only returned to League One on the final day of the previous campaign, have been among the third-tier's chief surprise packages and find themselves just four points behind league leaders Cardiff City in third place after 22 matches.

Stockport, meanwhile, are looking to avenge last season's play-off semi-final defeat to Leyton Orient and have re-established their promotion credentials under Dave Challinor, with the Hatters one place but five points shy of Bradford amid mixed form throughout the Festive period.

However, the two sides are also poised to engage in another battle away from the pitch once the winter window opens, in which Thomas is set to be a hot property.

Bradford City, Stockport County in transfer race for Cheltenham Town's Jordan Thomas

Now, with the mid-season window commencing tomorrow, Football League World can exclusively reveal that Thomas is attracting interest from both Bradford and Stockport ahead of a transfer battle at the top-end of the third-tier.

In what will provide a boost to the efforts of the two promotion-aspiring outfits, FLW understands that Thomas will be available at a discounted price due to his contract at Cheltenham being set to expire in the summer, weakening the Robins' ability to retain the wide-man's sought-after services amid a reported £250,000 release clause in his current deal.

No shortage of interest has been expressed in Thomas' signature over the last twelve months either, with Barnsley having seen a bid rejected last summer, while Blackpool, Millwall and Scottish side Hibernian have all been linked in previous reports.

Thomas has been in mixed form for Cheltenham in League Two this season, although the 24-year-old has registered six goal contributions in his last eight appearances across all competitions after finding the back of the net on nine occasions during his debut campaign.

It is possible that the pacey winger could be viewed as a potential replacement for Jack Diamond at Stockport, whom FLW broke the news of interest in from Derby County earlier this month.

'Fantastic' claim has previously been dropped on Cheltenham Town's Jordan Thomas amid Bradford City, Stockport County transfer interest

Cheltenham were, in fact, expected to lose Thomas back in the summer, with ex-Town boss Michael Flynn having tipped the winger to depart before Ethon Archer — who has since joined Luton Town.

Speaking all the way back in April, Flynn referred to Thomas and Archer as "fantastic lads" when addressing transfer interest in the pair and their potential.

When asked whether he could see Cheltenham keeping hold of the duo for a bit longer, Flynn held little back by explaining: "Probably for about two weeks. I don't think we'll keep either of them, to be honest.

"I would probably say Jordan will go first.

Yes, it (Archer's contract situation) does put us in a strong position, but they are fantastic lads.

"I am harsh on them, on them every day but there is a reason for that: I know they have potential and I'll do it in the right way, but I want them to fulfil their potential because they are two great lads, who I have a lot of time for."