Eoin Jess is the carrot City are dangling in front of Dundee United to take Alan Combe permanently to Valley Parade.

Tannadice boss Alex Smith launched Jess's career at Aberdeen and may be prepared to go with a swap deal for the on-loan Bantams goalkeeper.

City chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "Alan Combe has done enough to earn himself a contract with us and negotiations have commenced with Dundee United."

Sources in Scotland claim that Jess, City's 14-goal top scorer this season, is being lined up in a possible exchange.

Jess first broke into the Aberdeen team under Smith and the United manager is well aware of his talents.

The biggest stumbling block could be the player's wages because the Scottish club have been trying to prune their staff by releasing the highest earners.

But United have been whetting the appetite of their fans by promising an exciting signing of a flair player in the summer and Jess fits the bill.

Jess has been one of the success stories in City's bitterly-disappointing campaign but was targeted by a small section of fans for flak when results plummeted at the beginning of last month.

Nicky Law has been happy with the former Scottish international's form but is desperate to secure Combe. With little cash to spend, the best solution is a swap.

The Bantams boss wants to act quickly to get his man before Combe's outstanding performances attract too much attention elsewhere.

Berti Vogts has called the 26-year-old into his Scotland squad for tonight's friendly against Nigeria at Pittodrie.

And although Celtic's Rab Douglas will start in goal, Combe's presence on the international bench only raises a profile that City are trying to keep under wraps.

Combe has let in 17 goals in 15 games but three of the last five have been last-minute penalties, including West Brom's winner at Valley Parade on Saturday.

He said: "I feel I've done quite well for Bradford but to be honest, it's just been great to be playing again every week. That wasn't going to happen at Dundee United.

"The First Division is a very high standard and you've got to be on top of your game.

"Somebody has obviously been watching me to get the call for Scotland and

it's good to know that you are being appreciated."