Bradford City

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Bradford City chief executive Ryan Sparks says there has been "huge inflation" in the transfer market as the club ready for their return to League One.

City were promoted on the final day of the season and managed to sign eight players before 1 July as Graham Alexander rebuilds his squad.

But despite Birmingham City and Wrexham winning promotion to the Championship last season, Sparks says there are still other big-spending clubs who have made the third-tier market tricky to negotiate.

Sparks told BBC Radio Leeds: "We wanted to move quickly and have a squad ready for pre-season and we did that. We were always going to have plans regardless of what division we were in.

"It is an intense market, the activity in League One has been like never before, there is huge inflation in the market.

"But we are very happy with what we have done. We have been able to attract players for different reasons and we will continue to do that. The window doesn't close for some time yet.

"Recruitment is really important and there are conversations every day. The process doesn't change but the cost of players does.

"The manager has the final say on players, that will never change as far as I am concerned."

Listen to the full interview and more on Bradford City on BBC Sounds.

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Bradford City boss Graham Alexander says there is a "feel-good factor" at the club as they prepare for a return to League One.

The Bantams beat Championship side Middlesbrough 2-0 in a pre-season friendly last week, with goals from Antoni Sarcevic and Will Swan.

Swan is one of a number of new faces settling in at the club and Alexander is pleased with how his squad is shaping up.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: "We looked incisive and dangerous when we had the ball against Middlesbrough.

"We looked clunky in our first few friendlies but we have eight new players and we are changing their mindsets. It takes time, it's a process.

"We are still not there but the new players are getting more confidence.

"We try to do our due diligence on their characters as people and they have settled in well. It is a good group of players who want to work, it is a good environment to walk into.

"There is a feel-good factor in the club - but we haven't kicked off yet."

City begin their League One return at home to Wycombe on Saturday, 2 August, after their memorable last-day, last-gasp promotion from the fourth tier in May.

Listen to the full interview and more on Bradford City on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

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