Sheffield United: Bids for Leon Clarke 'comical' and 'embarrassing' says Bury FC boss David Flitcroft

United are believed to be preparing yet another improved offer for the former Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday forward, but Flitcroft is becoming ever-more frustrated by the Blades' attempts to sign Clarke.

The manager expressed his annoyance after his player was left out of Bury's friendly with Southend on Saturday to 'refocus'.

"I think people are playing games behind the scenes at Sheffield United which is very amateurish and very unprofessional," Flitcroft told Bury Times.

“It's something that does go on in football but if I’m being really honest I think there's a professional etiquette that all managers should keep and all assistant managers should keep.”

On the figures offered for Clarke, Flitcroft said: “They have come in with an improved offer. The first one was comical, the second one was embarrassing.

“I don't know where it's at now. We have got a game that we want to win in two weeks time in League One so I'm focusing on that.

“I think it has become a bit of a circus and if I wanted to go to a circus then I'd go to Blackpool, which we are going there next week anyway!

“This situation could end up becoming a circus and I certainly don't want to become part of that."