CHARLIE Wyke's proposed move to City could be delayed by the finer details of his Carlisle contract.

The 17-goal striker is thought to be keen on a switch to Valley Parade after the Bantams made a £250,000 bid – which the T&A understands triggers a release clause in his contract.

Neither of the clubs have commented publicly on the existence of the clause.

But Cumbrians boss Keith Curle has appeared to hint at a possible grey area within Wyke's contract, which has 18 months to run, that may be proving a stumbling block.

Curle said: "Individual elements of the player's contract are confidential and need to remain confidential. Clauses in individual contracts, they can be very complicated.

"It's important that between Charlie's agent and the club at that level, discussions take place.

"But credit to the lad, all he's saying to me is 'I want to focus on my football, keep doing what I'm doing'. The lad wants to play, he's in an environment where he's thriving and long may that continue."

Having sold James Hanson to Sheffield United, Stuart McCall has made it clear that City need to push through a couple of new recruits before the window shuts on Tuesday night.

Carlisle are loathe to lose a player from their League Two promotion push who Curle predicts could hit 30 goals by the end of the season.

Curle believes City's bid, which he confirmed yesterday, does not match Wyke's value to his team. The suggestion of late interest from other clubs could be designed to spark a bidding war.

Wyke is due to play for Carlisle against Barnet this afternoon and Curle insisted the striker has not requested to leave.

"I'd be very disappointed if Charlie came in and said 'I don't want to play for you', he said.

"I've said to him, enjoy the speculation, enjoy the attention. You're a goal-scorer and when things are going well, they get everything.

"I played some fantastic games, won some headers, clearances, tackles – nothing. A centre-forward might do nothing for 89 minutes but gets a toe-poke in the last minute and they get the Ferrari, supermodel, absolutely everything.

"Charlie, enjoy it. You've got a great opportunity to enhance your potential. He's a brave lad as well, on and off the pitch, and mentally I have no doubt about his capacity to handle the attention."

City have declined to say anything about the situation.