CITY legend John Hendrie believes Aaron Mclean’s departure would be best for all parties, insisting: The chemistry has not been right.

Phil Parkinson is looking to get the striker out on loan to free up some income within his playing budget.

Mclean is thought to be considering interest from several clubs, with a team nearer his London roots his preferred option.

Hendrie said: “It’s fair to say Aaron hasn’t really shown the Bradford fans what he can do. But don’t rule him out going somewhere else where it might well click.

“It’s just not been right for Bradford City. You win some, like with Nahki Wells, you lose some – nothing is ever guaranteed. He was a big signing so the expectation levels were always going to be high. So when it’s not working out, that’s when people start grumbling.

“But who else was on the market at that time who would have been a realistic target for Bradford?

“He had a good record at Peterborough and the club must have thought ‘if we get that Mclean then we’ve got a chance’. But it’s not worked out like that and maybe it’s time for both parties to shake hands now and move on.

“The chemistry has got to be right. For one reason or another, that hasn’t happened.”

Mclean had a big act to follow after succeeding Wells in January and took 11 games to get off the mark. Telegraph & Argus columnist Hendrie felt he lacked sharpness from playing only sporadically before leaving Hull.

He added: “When Mclean first came in, he hadn’t played a lot and wasn’t really fit. But he was filling the boots of Nahki Wells, so supporters were going to judge him from day one.

“The doubters on the sidelines were straight on his case and it wasn’t as if he was scoring goals early on either and that can play on a striker’s mind.

“But he finished the season well and I think everyone around the club were hoping to see him at his best this year. But then he got injured in the first week of pre-season.

“He wanted to hit the ground running but instead that put him back to square one. He’s been playing catch-up ever since.”

Parkinson wants to use any cash saved from a Mclean deal to beef up his options. Hendrie feels the priority area must be up front.

He said: “I remember saying in a column during the summer that you can never have enough forward players in the building.

“You’ll get injuries, suspensions and loss of form and having the right quota of strikers allows others to have a breather when needed.

“Phil knows that. He has brought in Jon Stead but Olly McBurnie is still a baby in football terms. He needs guys who can lead the line.

“That’s down to his budget but there aren’t enough strikers and he will be trying to address that.

“If it means Mclean going so that Phil can use that money wisely elsewhere, then so be it.

“You look at the experienced managers like Harry Redknapp and Neil Warnock. They’ve always got more than four strikers.”

Meanwhile, City’s youngsters begin their FA Youth Cup campaign tonight at Scunthorpe. It is a repeat of last year’s first round when the Bantams won 2-0 with goals from Callum Chippendale and Joe Brennan.