Bradford City are showing interest in signing veteran forward Michael Smith from Preston North End as they look for new striking options.
Graham Alexander’s side face an overhaul up front this summer, having released club favourite Andy Cook and the end of two disappointing loan spells from Paul Mullin and Ethan Wheatley.
That leaves Kayden Jackson, Stephen Humphrys and Will Swan as their only senior attacking options, with the latter being the only out-and-out number nine of those remaining three.
Smith On Radar
The Bantams have been looking in the market for some new additions, having recently reignited their interest in January target Jake Beesley from Burton Albion last week.
Now, as reported by Alan Nixon through his Patreon page, Preston North End forward Michael Smith is another name being targeted by City, just 12 months after his move to Deepdale.
The 34-year-old was recruited on a free transfer by Paul Heckingbottom’s men from Sheffield Wednesday as the Owls went into disarray, and made 40 appearances in his Lilywhites debut season, scoring three times.
Smith has remained in Yorkshire despite his switch over the Pennines, which Nixon states has been a ‘drain on him’, and that North End would consider letting him walk despite being under contract.
The former Rotherham United man has had multiple prolific seasons in League One prior to his promotion with the Owls in 2023, scoring 18 and 19 times in his final two third-tier seasons at Wednesday and the Millers.
Is Smith A Wise Move?
Bradford City do need some new members in their ranks this summer as they hope to maintain the brilliant momentum they generated following promotion from League Two.
Striker was perhaps the crucial problem area which stifled the Bantams’ chances at back-to-back promotions, with nobody stepping up to the plate and providing a consistent goal threat to challenge many of the best sides in the division.
That has led Graham Alexander to eye proven talent at this level, with both Jake Beesley and Michael Smith in his sights.
The former should be a no-brainer move, with the Burton Albion man perhaps the best placed to create a dangerous aerial threat considering Bradford’s favourability to crosses from Josh Neufville and Tyreik Wright.
However, more thought should be given as to whether Michael Smith is the right fit to provide additional depth if they can land Beesley this window.
At 34, he is only a little younger than outgoing veteran Andy Cook, but has the experience in both the Championship and League One that City’s iconic forward lacks.
The question will be whether Smith is over the hill in terms of his ability to deliver, with a 40-appearance campaign ending with just three goals not being encouraging signs.
However, having not had many chances at regular minutes, being afforded opportunities for regular stints in the first team in a lower division could be enough to relight his goalscoring form.
So while it is a move which would come with some risks, there would not be much to lose to trying to sign Smith on a one-year deal and hopes he can spur Bradford City on to another promotion challenge.
