Both Sunderland and Sheffield United have declared they are interested in signing the 19yr old centre back, but it would appear Shefiield United have beaten Sunderland yet again in the chase to sign a shared target.
Sheffield United signed Andy Gray from Bradford, another of Mick McCarthy's targets and it looks like Simon Francis is set to join his old team mate.
Simon said (No pun intended): "I would rather choose Sheffield United," Francis told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.
"It would be a good move for me for several reasons, my family, location and I also believe there would be a better chance of playing regularly.
"They were also the first club that showed an interest in me. Even last season when we played them before, Nicky Law was saying that they were watching me."