Sheffield United are understood to have made a surprise bid for Bradford City forward James Hanson, according to Sky Sports sources.
The 29-year-old joined the Bantams from non-league Guiseley, where a transfer fee was set by tribunal at £7,500. Hanson juggled a job at his local Co-operative supermarket with semi-professional football at Guiseley but the striker quickly showed his worth at the then-League Two club.
Hanson became a fan-favourie during the 2012/13 season, where he played a huge role in his club’s route to the League Cup final and play-off success. The Bradford-born striker made a colossal 59 appearances and 15 goals, including the opening play-off final goal at Wembley.
This term, Bradford’s number nine has often found himself on the bench and has only scored four goals in his 20 appearances. A move was welcomed by many fans of Stuart McCall’s club but nobody expected league-leaders Sheffield United to show interest.
Sky Sports sources believe the South Yorkshire club are interested in Hanson and have made a bid. The Blades currently have five senior strikers in the squad with Billy Sharp, Matt Done, Leon Clarke and Caolan Lavery all playing a role in the first half of the season’s emphatic run of wins. Marc McNulty, the fifth striker on the list, was this month recalled from his loan spell at Bradford City after Chris Wilder felt the Scottish forward could improve his match day squad. McNulty did not impress during his time at Valley Parade, finding the net just once in 16 appearances.
A transfer to the Blades would confuse both Bradford and United fans and may prompt more speculation over the future of Leon Clarke. Although, Wilder’s signings so far in his Sheffield United reign have proven to be successful. Simon Moore, Jake Wright and Mark Duffy are all examples, and the Blades board will be likely to put trust into the Sheffield-born manager’s demands.
Hanson was left out of today’s match day squad against Millwall.
