PHIL Parkinson hopes he can now step up City’s summer business on a more stable footing by leaving the recent uncertainty behind.

The City boss admits that player negotiations – with both current members of the squad and potential new recruits – have been affected by the on-going takeover talk.

As revealed in the Telegraph & Argus yesterday, Gianni Paladini insisted his bid to buy the Bantams was still on course despite failing to do a deal before his exclusivity period ran out at the end of the last week.

But with the Italian’s deadline passing without any agreement, Parkinson believes that the situation is less up in the air when trying to convince players to commit to City.

He said: “When you speak to players and agents they are obviously going to ask about the takeover issue because it is out there in the media.

“Good players have got choices to make. They aren’t going to go to a club with an uncertain future, simple as that.

“One of the reasons why we didn’t want to let it drag on – and it’s probably dragged on a little further than it should have done – was because of that.

“This is a big summer to get some players in and obviously we are working towards that. Hopefully the takeover issue is resolved.”

Richard O’Donnell was one potential capture who slipped through City’s fingers in the last month.

Parkinson was believed to be keen on the former Walsall keeper and talks at Valley Parade were understood to have taken place.

But O’Donnell had several other offers on the table and instead opted for League One new boys Wigan.

“The player gets to a point where he wants to know exactly what is going on,” added Parkinson. “Good players will obviously have options.”

With the off-field dust starting to settle, the City boss will also push on with discussions with current out-of-contract trio Jon Stead, Andrew Davies and Mark Yeates.

“We’ve said we need to get the takeover situation resolved and know where we are budget-wise.

“Hopefully I will touch base with Jon in the next two days. He’s been away and goes away again on Friday.

“He’s another one who will be waiting like everybody to see what has happened after last week. Dava has gone away for a week and it’s the same with him.

“Mark is another one we’ve got to sit down with and have a chat. It’s the same situation with all of them.”

The manager’s own future has also been in the spotlight after he was targeted by Sheffield United. The Blades had an approach rebuffed last week by City joint-chairmen Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn before switching attentions to Nigel Adkins, who was given the job last night.

Parkinson said: “Julian and Mark have kept me informed all along about Sheffield United’s interest in the middle of a difficult week for the club with the takeover situation.

“There was an approach but it didn’t go any further than that and we’ve been liaising every day about plans going forward now the takeover looks like it’s not going to happen.”

Meanwhile, City could confirm their pre-season schedule by the end of the week.