City are ready to break the bank with a six-figure bid to land Paul Benson.

And he could be at Valley Parade by the end of next week.

The T&A understands that the Bantams are in discussions with Charlton to take the 32-year-old on loan before next Thursday’s deadline.

They would then look to make the deal permanent when the transfer window reopens in January.

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes last night confirmed they had put in an offer for a striker but declined to reveal his identity.

But it is believed to be Benson, a player they have coveted since Phil Parkinson arrived at the club in August.

Parkinson signed Benson for Charlton from Dagenham but he has been frozen out of the picture since Chris Powell succeeded the Bantams boss at the Valley. He is out of contract at the end of the season.

The £100,000-plus fee would be the highest City have splashed out since they first went into administration in 2002.

In recent years they have spent smaller amounts on the likes of Gareth Evans, Jake Speight and Willy Topp.

Parkinson has been keen to boost his firepower despite a high number of strikers at the club. Benson, who was spotted by Dagenham chief John Still while playing in the Essex Olympian League, has scored 80 goals in just over 200 league appearances since turning pro.