Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson says the club are no longer pursuing Bradford City striker Jake Young after being priced out of the move.
The 22-year-old returned to Valley Parade earlier this month after the Bantams activated an early recall clause from his season-long loan at League Two rivals Swindon Town. However, injury has prevented him from featuring for Graham Alexander’s side, leading to speculation that he could be sold.
Bradford were keen for Young to return after his electric form in Wiltshire, where he hit 16 goals in 25 league appearances. Understandably, this has caught the eye of teams in the league above, with Carlisle launching a bid last week.
Speculation over his future will continue whilst he is on the sidelines. Should he appear for the Yorkshire outfit, he would remain at the club until at least the end of the campaign due to league rules stating that no player can represent more than two teams in one season.
Speaking last week, Alexander addressed the situation, stating the attacker would be available for selection as soon as he is declared fit:
“He’s getting rehab and treatment with the physios.
“As soon as he declares himself fit, he’ll be available for selection. It’s just like any other player with a niggle or an injury and we’ve got three or four.
“He’d have to train first because I’m not going to throw him in the deep end. But as soon as he is available to train, he comes into our thoughts to select.
“There are no guarantees for any player to get into our team. But would he be available for selection and in our thoughts? 100 per cent.
“I work for people, I’m not the boss. I try to keep my focus and influence on the football side of it.
“No one has sat me down and told me you cannot pick Jake Young; not once.”
The ex-MK Dons boss then revealed a bid had been turned down by an unnamed team, although Carlisle manager Paul Simpson has confirmed that their initial approach had been rejected and they are unlikely to return with an improved offer. Speaking to the News & Star, the 57-year-old said:
“He’s a player who we all like but we can’t afford him.
“Bradford are talking a ridiculous figure so that won’t be happening.”
“From what I’m hearing the figure they’re quoting is way out of our league, and certainly not a figure that I would expect anybody to be paying for him.”
Carlisle remain 23rd in League One and six points from safety following last night’s 2-1 defeat against promotion-chasing Barnsley. They travel to fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town on Saturday in what could prove to be a season-defining fixture.
Writer’s View
Bradford didn’t bring Jake Young back to the club just to cash in. They viewed the striker as someone who is proven in League Two football and could help fire them towards the play-off places.
That said, every player is technically for sale and the Bantams are well within their rights to price clubs out of a move. Should anyone be willing to pay the quoted fee, they will feel they have done good business. If not, they have a top quality goalscorer in their squad which could elevate them to the next level.
