Tranmere Rovers target edges closer to exiting current club

Tranmere Rovers look to be edging closer to signing transfer target James Vaughan, with the Telegraph and Argus suggesting their former loan striker is approaching a Bradford City exit.

Vaughan has angered Bantams’ fans in recent weeks with his social media antics, removing all references to Bradford from his Twitter profile, but openly ‘liking’ posts related to Mike Jackson’s fellow League Two side. He’s been cited as a target for them after spending time at Prenton Park last season, bagging three goals in eight games after falling out of favour at Valley Parade.

Despite the 32-year-old still being contracted to Bradford, he lists himself merely as a ‘professional footballer’ on his Twitter profile, only further fuelling talk of his expected exit. McCall has openly stated he does not want Vaughan to leave, but given his base close to Birkenhead it is believed he no longer wants to remain with Bradford.

Vaughan began his career with Everton, earning England honours up to Under 21 level and bagging nine goals in 60 appearances. He didn’t manage to live up to his early potential and saw loan spells with Derby, Leicester and Crystal Palace before joining Norwich City. He bagged 31 goals in 86 Championship appearances for Bradford’s Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield, but his later career hasn’t been spectacular.

A switch to Birmingham saw him leave goalless and he despite 24 goals for Bury, he struggled to impress at Sunderland, Wigan and again at Portsmouth the season before last. He did bag 11 goals in 27 outings for the Bantams but was loaned out in December.

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Our View

James Vaughan hasn’t impressed in his last few roles, although he did bag 11 times for Bradford last season. He never offered the sort of return, nor presence that his experience suggested he might though and despite McCall wanting him to stay at the club, he won’t be incredibly tough to replace with current market conditions.

Perhaps a move closer to home is what he wants, he did look to settle quickly for Tranmere in League One and, at 32, he’s running out of chances to deliver on that potential his early career showed. By moving closer to home and maybe helping Mike Jackson’s side to a promotion push, he could get the satisfaction the last few seasons simply haven’t delivered.