CITY are not one of the clubs eyeing Ben Whitfield.

The Bingley-born Barrow winger is thought to be interesting several others as he considers the offer of a new deal with the Bluebirds.

There have been claims on social media that the Bantams were in the hunt but it is understood that Whitfield is not on their radar.

The 28-year-old has been frequently linked with a return to his hometown club, where he was part of the academy for 10 years until the age of 16.

He then moved on to Silsden and Guiseley before entering the pro ranks with Bournemouth.

 

 

There was an unfounded rumour that he was signing in the 2021 summer window after leaving Torquay. But Whitfield joined Stockport before switching to Barrow 12 months later.

He scored 11 goals last season, although only one came after mid-January, with four assists.

Whitfield found himself mainly on the bench in the second half of the campaign and did not start in the final four games as Barrow slumped out of the play-off picture.

He came on as a sub for the last 15 minutes for the final-week clash with City when Tyler Smith notched the late winner.

Meanwhile, Chesterfield have made the first big signing of the summer in League Two - snapping up former Stockport striker Paddy Madden.

The well-travelled 34-year-old, who played under Bantams boss Graham Alexander at Scunthorpe, has joined the newly-promoted Spireites on a two-year deal.

Madden netted 22 goals last season for League Two champions Stockport.

Madden said: “I’m buzzing to get the deal done. It’s a massive club that I’ve always enjoyed playing against."