Bradford City manager Gary Bowyer has confirmed that he wants to sign Leeds defender Paudie O’Connor in the summer.
The 21-year-old centre-back has been on a half-season loan with the League One side and has impressed Bowyer in recent weeks after struggling to make the side.
The 1-1 draw with Gillingham marked his fifth start in a row and his first as captain.
Bradford have been relegated but Bowyer wants O’Connor in League Two and the Telegraph & Argus claims the 21-year-old has said he would be happy to drop down a division and stay with the club.
“He’s competitive and for someone so young, he talks ever so well. I thought he was excellent again (on Monday),” Bowyer said.
“He’s a good organiser and I had no problems giving him the captain’s armband. I spoke to him on Sunday about it.
“But I’m going to shut up now talking about him because I don’t want anybody to take him in the summer bar us!”
OPINION
Bowyer is a big fan of O’Connor. He took him to Blackpool on loan first and then came calling for him again at Bradford. Their season ended in relegation but Bowyer wants O’Connor again in League Two and it sounds like the player is open to the move. O’Connor made four appearances for Leeds at the tail-end of last season under Paul Heckingbottom but it seems unlikely that he’d get back in the side now. If Leeds get promoted they’ll be looking to strengthen the defence in the summer and O’Connor will be a way back in the pecking order if he returns over the summer. It sounds like he knows that his level lies down a division or two at the moment and with his contract set to expire in 2020, this summer could be the right time for him to make a move. Another loan move doesn’t make a lot of sense as he would be out of contract at the end of the next season and could move on a free. If that’s the case, Leeds might as well cash in now.