WANDERERS would have to find around £1million if they are to land Bradford City striker Charlie Wyke.

Phil Parkinson is a big fan of the 25-year-old, who has struck 19 goals in 42 games for the Bantams in League One over the past year and a half.

It is understood Wanderers made tentative enquiries about the Middlesbrough-born target man back in January after the departure of Gary Madine but felt the asking price was too high.

With Wyke now in the final year of his contract and seeking a move to the Championship this summer, Bradford – who paid just £250,000 to sign him from Carlisle United in January 2017 - appear more willing to do a deal.

Parkinson has been concentrating on bringing in the best possible free transfer and loan deals since the end of last season and has already landed midfielders Jason Lowe and Erhun Oztumer.

More deals of that ilk are in the pipeline. Wanderers expect signings to be made in batches with business now picking up after the return of key staff from summer holidays.

Reports yesterday speculated that ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder Hope Akpan could be one of those targets. The 26-year-old i- who started his career with Everton - s available on a free after reaching the end of his contract at Burton Albion.

Along with scouring the market for bargains, Ken Anderson has also indicated there will be funds for a cash signing which do not hinge on his ability to find third party investment at the Macron.

Wanderers were placed in a transfer embargo by the EFL in December 2015 at the height of their financial problems but a statement issued on the official website in September last year from Anderson claimed they were free to trade normally again.

The club has not paid a cash fee for any player since January 2015 when, under previous ownership, they brought in Filip Twardzik for £75,000.

Of their current squad, no player was signed to their current deal with a transfer fee.