By Jon Colman

Last updated at 12:22, Wednesday, 11 June 2008

Bradford City are weighing up a double swoop for Carlisle United outcasts Paul Arnison and Zigor Aranalde.

Zigor Aranalde

The Yorkshire side are understood to be among a number of League Two clubs in the hunt for the full-back duo, who were released by United last month.

Bantams boss Stuart McCall, a close friend and former team-mate of Carlisle number two Greg Abbott, is rebuilding his squad for a promotion push next term.

And the experience of both Arnison and Aranalde, who both figured heavily in the Blues’ own League Two promotion campaign two years ago, has not gone unnoticed by the Scot.

Basque left-back Aranalde, 35, recently spoke of his determination to play on for another season in the English league after leaving United with a point to prove.

The former Sevilla ace was a regular under successive bosses Paul Simpson and Neil McDonald, but lost his place to Evan Horwood under John Ward last February and did not make the first team again.

He claimed the frustration of his last four months at Brunton Park had left him keen to make a final statement in the English game.

It’s understood that League One side Oldham have also shown tentative interest in the popular Aranalde but a move to Bradford or another League Two club would seem more plausible.

The former Walsall man is currently back in Spain with his family but is likely to return to England by the end of the month when he will look closely at his options.

Right-back Arnison, meanwhile, is hoping League One outfit Hartlepool could offer him an emotional return to his home-town club.

That would be Arnison’s ideal move, although the former Newcastle United man, 30, is likely to have several options along with Bradford in League Two.

Aranalde and Arnison have also both been linked with Shrewsbury – managed by ex-United boss Paul Simpson, who is due to turn out for the Blues in the Northern Masters tournament this Sunday.

But while he is a big admirer of both, New Meadow chief Simpson already has an established left-back in the form of ex-Blues loan man Marc Tierney who was voted the Shrews’ player of the year last season. And Aranalde would be seeking assurances of first-team football from his prospective final club in England.

But Simpson – who has already snapped up ex-United pair Paul Murray and Stephen Hindmarch – has shipped out a number of defenders since the end of last season and a move for Arnison may be realistic.

First published at 11:40, Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk