Bradford City manager outlines transfer plans as club continues summer recruitment
Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has revealed that he would still like to strengthen his squad with three additional signings before the summer transfer window closes, although he believes activity across the market has slowed after an initially busy period.
The Bantams have already completed six signings during the current transfer window, significantly boosting their options ahead of the new campaign. Those additions were all involved in Saturday’s impressive 6-1 pre-season victory over Halifax Town, while the club also handed opportunities to four trialists as Alexander continued assessing potential recruits.
Despite the encouraging performance and the quality already available within his squad, Alexander is happy to be patient rather than rush into further business. He feels the frantic early stage of the transfer window has eased, allowing clubs to carefully evaluate their options before making more moves.
Speaking after the friendly, Alexander explained that transfer activity had noticeably slowed across football. He believes Bradford are in a comfortable position because the current squad has shown encouraging signs during pre-season, but he still feels three more additions are required to provide the level of depth and balance he wants.
The City boss said the ongoing trialists are playing an important role in the club’s recruitment process, with each player being tested in different positions to determine how well they could fit into the team’s plans. At the same time, Bradford’s recruitment staff continue monitoring the transfer market for players who become available and could improve the squad.
Alexander also addressed speculation surrounding departures from Valley Parade, revealing that while there have been a few enquiries about some members of his squad, none have developed into anything serious. According to the manager, the interest has mainly centred on players who featured less regularly last season, but there have been no firm offers or situations that have tempted the club to consider selling.
He suggested that the transfer market as a whole has entered a quieter phase, with clubs now spending more time making enquiries and evaluating available players rather than rushing to complete deals. Having already completed much of their early business before pre-season began, many teams are now prepared to wait for the right opportunities instead of forcing transfers.
Among the trialists involved against Halifax were Jordan Davies and experienced defender Ben Heneghan, both of whom were given another opportunity to impress the coaching staff. They were joined by defender Reece James, who faced Bradford while playing for Rotherham United last season, and former Everton centre-back Reece Welch.
Alexander hinted that further trialists could arrive in the coming days, revealing that the club is expecting one or two additional players to join training next week. He stressed that pre-season is the ideal time to experiment, not only with new faces but also with tactical ideas, different formations, and alternative set-piece routines.
The Bradford manager explained that these matches allow both the coaching staff and players to test new approaches without the pressure of competitive fixtures. It also gives potential signings the chance to prove they can adapt to the team’s style and demonstrate the qualities needed to earn a contract.
Alexander remains convinced there are still several talented free agents and available players who could become valuable additions to Bradford City’s squad. By inviting them in on trial, the club can assess whether they possess the technical ability, attitude, and character required before making any commitments.
One of those hoping to impress is England Under-20 international Reece Welch, who recently left Everton after spending 15 years with the Merseyside club. The central defender also gained Football League experience during a previous loan spell with Forest Green Rovers in League Two.
Meanwhile, Reece James brings considerable experience after making 44 appearances for Rotherham United last season, including both meetings with Bradford. The defender has also represented clubs including Wigan Athletic, Doncaster Rovers, and Sheffield Wednesday during his career.
Alexander explained that the coaching staff already know the trialists well from previous encounters, either through managing against them or facing them as opponents. However, familiarity alone is not enough. The key question is whether each player can adapt to Bradford City’s playing style and contribute to winning matches.
He praised the attitude shown by all of the trialists since arriving at the club, saying they had settled quickly into the environment and had embraced the standards and expectations set by the coaching staff. Alexander also felt the second half against Halifax provided a valuable test, particularly when the game became more challenging, giving the coaching team another opportunity to evaluate how the trialists responded under pressure before deciding on their futures.
