Bradford Turn Attention to Barnsley Striker Target as Burton Hold Firm on Star Man

Bradford Set to Rival Barnsley for Oxford United Forward

Bradford City are set to step away from their pursuit of Burton Albion star Jake Beesley today and instead turn their attentions to a fight against Barnsley for the services of Oxford United forward Tom Bradshaw, reports Darren Witcoop.

If we sell DKD and get Tom Bradshaw in my head will be on the moon.

Bradshaw’s last league goal was 17/08/24 for Millwall 😐

— Josh (@joshathertonn) February 2, 2026

Beesley has been in excellent form with 10 goals and four assists amidst Burton's fight against relegation, so the Brewers' understandably have very little intention of letting him leave in favour of the Bantams. As such, Graham Alexander has turned his attention to veteran Oxford United striker Tom Bradshaw instead, though faces a battle with Barnsley in order to secure his services.

Barnsley, led by former Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane, are in the market for a new striker amidst heavy uncertainty over the future of Davis Keilor-Dunn, who has been linked widely with a move to Wrexham today.

Bradshaw a New Target as Beesley Move Stutters

It seems as if everyone in the EFL is in the market for a new striker today, really. Bradford City are no different, with a plethora of names being linked with Graham Alexander's men despite the arrival of Paul Mullin on loan from Wrexham a few days ago.

They were hoping to secure a move for over-performing striker Jake Beesley from Burton Albion, who are in the thick of a relegation battle and would be far worse off if not for his goal contributions this season, but that form under fire is exactly why the Brewers are not willing to let him depart, especially with only a few hours left to source a replacement number nine.

Burton are confident of keeping striker Jake Beesley today amid on-going interest from Bradford. Oxford striker Tom Bradshaw is now a potential target with Barnsley also keen on the Welshman. #bradfordcity #burton #oufc #barnsleyfc #DeadlineDay

— Darren Witcoop (@DarrenOWitcoop) February 2, 2026

As such, Bradford are circling the waters around 33-year-old Tom Bradshaw as we approach the last hours of the window, but they may have to fight off Barnsley to secure the Welshman's services to bolster their promotion push. A former Millwall regular, Bradshaw joined the U's last season but has only made a handful of Championship appearances in that time. With Oxford securing the arrival of talented Tottenham youngster Will Lankshear earlier this window, his game time may drop even further if he does not take on a fresh move to League One.

Meanwhile, Witcoop reports that Burton have taken a look at Swindon Town's Aaron Drinan as a replacement should Beesley still be lured away from the Pirelli Stadium today.