Chris Wilder has made things very clear this January – Billy Sharp wants to stay at Sheffield United.
The striker has been linked with multiple moves away from Bramall Lane. Firstly it was a potential return to Leeds before the far-fetched idea of joining Sunderland came about.
Journalist Richard Sutcliffe has meanwhile hinted at “considerable interest” in his services this month.
However, with the idea of signing Stoke’s Tyrese Campbell lurking, it’s quite possible that any potential arrival in the forward department could be to Sharp’s detriment.
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On the chalkboard
The Blades striker has started just twice in the Premier League this season and was taken off before the hour mark in their 1-0 defeat against Manchester City last Tuesday.
Failing to register a single shot in his time on the pitch, it wasn’t the most awe-inspiring performance from the 33-year-old.
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Wilder claimed he had a discussion with Sharp last week about his future but the club’s stance doesn’t appear to be changing – they will let the forward make up his own mind.
The Yorkshireman hasn’t made any suggestion that he wants to leave but a decision could be forced out of him in the remaining week of the window.
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Campbell arriving?
Last week it was reported that the Stoke City striker was attracting the interest of Sheffield United, as well as Rangers and Celtic.
The 20-year-old is one of the rising stars in the Championship and has already netted five times this term while earning rave reviews along the way.
His manager Michael O’Neill commented earlier this season that he was always a handful after netting twice against Huddersfield and it’s his physical attributes, as well as his technical ones that stand out.
Also possessing the ability to play on the right flank, Stoke’s Academy Director, Gareth Jennings detailed in February 2019:
“In terms of a modern-day centre-forward, he’s got pace and power. He needs a bit of encouragement to run in behind and use it correctly but that’s part of his development plan.
“He’s also someone who scores a range of different goals. You don’t see the same goal all the time from Tyrese. He scores with his head, he scores from inside the box, from outside the box… he’s very comfortable at hitting the target, that’s his main attribute.”
A striker comfortable at hitting the target bears resemblance to Sharp, a man who bagged 23 goals for the Blades last term.
Now in the twilight of his career, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that he’d be bumped further down the pecking order if Campbell arrived.
After all, he already has David McGoldrick, Oliver McBurnie and Lys Mousset to compete with. In terms of Sharp’s Blades career, the potential incoming of Campbell could be the final nail in the coffin.
In other news, one further Blades target could trump Fleck and Norwood if he arrives…