Swedish international Niclas Alexander-sson has turned his back on a £2.75million move to City because he can't face another survival battle.

The midfielder, who tasted relegation with Sheffield Wednesday last season, completed his £2.5m switch to Everton yesterday after having talks with City manager Chris Hutchings on Monday night.

Chairman Geoffrey Richmond said he had also agreed a £2.5m fee with Wednesday, paying out another £250,000 if they survived the drop for a second year.

But he said that after discussions with Alexandersson he never felt confident the club could secure his signature.

"He came in for talks but we felt he had already made his mind up that he was going to Everton," he said.

"He indicated that after struggling in the Premiership with Wednesday last year he perhaps would like to go to a club that was more established in the Premier League.

"You can give no player any guarantees. It's a problem that all the biggest clubs have and we have heard for years about the problems clubs like Aston Villa and Spurs have in attracting players.

"So it's not just us here at Bradford City. It's just the reality of life when you are chasing the better players."

Alexandersson would have been new manager Hutchings' fourth pre-season signing after the arrival of Ian Nolan, David Hopkin and Peter Atherton at Valley Parade.

The 29-year-old had spells with Swedish sides Halmstads and IFK Gothenburg before joining Wednes-day in December 1997 for £750,000.

He scored eight goals in 73 league games in his stay at Hillsborough and would have strengthened the right side of City's midfield.

Bantams assistant manager Stuart McCall had already highlighted the position as one of the team's weaker areas.

City are now believed to be pursuing Liverpool's David Thompson and Sunderland's former England Under-21 international Nicky Summerbee.

The Bantams have been shortlisted for the National Football Awards Team of the Year. They face stiff opposition from Euro 2000 winners France, Leeds United and Man-chester United. The ticket office at Valley Parade will be closed on Saturday.