CITY have denied a claim that they had a loan bid to bring back Romoney Crichlow turned down.

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony said the Bantams had contacted his director of football Barry Fry.

But the offer, which he claimed was to pay 35 per cent of the defender’s wages, was rejected by the League One club.

“I couldn’t believe what I was reading when Barry sent me the text,” said MacAnthony on the latest edition of his “Hard Truth” podcast.

“I was amazed a club the size of Bradford coming in with a bid like that. But that’s football I guess, you’ve got to try.”

City, though, insist that never happened - and they had not been in touch with Fry regarding the 25-year-old, who has been transfer-listed.

Crichlow spent the 2022/2023 season with the Bantams and made 41 appearances, scoring once, in their push to the play-offs.

He joined Peterborough on a permanent deal from Huddersfield that summer and played 32 times last term – although that included only eight league starts.

Crichlow is now available to leave, along with David Ajiboye and Kabongo Tshimanga.

MacAnthony added: “He’s got to up his game but that’s only natural. We know he’s better than that.

“There is a player in there with Crich. He just needs to start playing like the player we know and think he can be.”

Asked about City’s summer recruitment to date, MacAnthony feels City have got a good defensive signing in Aden Baldwin.

“Under the previous manager he was a big part of the Notts County team that got promoted.

“I look at that league and barring MK Dons, I don’t see any big favourites.

“That’s the big test for Graham Alexander this year. Can he take those players he’s brought in, some with patchy injury records, and make sure they are available.”