Wigan Athletic have launched a late bid to sign forward Stephen Humphrys from Bradford City. The Yorkshire Post reported the move as the transfer deadline approached on Monday night.
Humphrys, 28, was not part of the Bradford City squad for their League One fixture against Cambridge United on September 1. The club currently sits 9th in the table with six points from four games, four points behind leaders Huddersfield Town.
Stephen Humphrys joined Bradford City ahead of the current campaign after spending the 2024/25 season with Barnsley. Since his arrival at Valley Parade, the forward has made 46 appearances for the Bantams. In those matches, he has registered nine goals and provided six assists for his teammates.
Earlier this year, Humphrys spoke about his preferred role under manager Graham Alexander. "As a 'nine' in this team, I will be able to get on the ball and dribble and create chances a lot more than most of last season when I was a target man really," Humphrys said. He added, "I wanted to make sure he (Graham Alexander) understood I didn’t want to be that and he wanted to make me feel comfortable that was not what I was brought in for. He wants me to link play up and get into the box."
The bid from Wigan Athletic carries significant personal history for the player. Humphrys spent three years with the Latics from 2021 to 2024. During that spell, he scored 18 goals in 98 appearances across all competitions, becoming a familiar figure at the DW Stadium. A return would see him rejoin a club where he enjoyed a productive period in his career.
Bradford City's start to the season has been mixed, with two wins and two losses from their opening four games. They have scored four goals and conceded four, leaving them with a zero goal difference. The potential loss of Humphrys would impact an attack that has shown it can find the net. Fans can track the team's progress on the standings page.
The immediate focus for Graham Alexander's side is preparing for the visit of Mansfield Town, who are 7th in League One. Any movement involving Humphrys would require swift resolution, with the transfer window closing at 11pm. The manager may need to assess his forward options ahead of a busy period.
Bradford City's squad depth will be tested, and the club's recruitment team might be active in the final hours of the window. The current player roster is available on our squad page. The final decision on Humphrys' future will shape the team's attacking strategy for the coming months.
