Sheffield United: Striker Revell turns down Blades to sign for Northampton

Revell, the former Rotherham United striker, also rejected an offer from MK Dons and will officially join Rob Page’s Cobblers on a two-year deal on July 1.

Former Blade Page, who replaced United boss Chris Wilder at Sixfields, reckons Revell’s signing is a big statement of intent as they join United in League One.

“We have had to be patient but we have beaten off a lot of competition to secure Alex’s signature and I am sure he will be a big asset to us,” Page added.

Wilder, who has the likes of Billy Sharp, Che Adams, Matt Done and Dominc Calvert-Lewin at his disposal in attack, wants a physically-imposing striker to complement them - and 6ft 3in, Revell would have fitted the bill.

“I have some outstanding forward players,” Wilder, who replaced Nigel Adkins at Bramall Lane, said.

“For me, Billy is the best striker in the division but the one thing we haven’t got is that player with physical prescence, the ‘target man’.

“We have a brand of football that we want to play, but sometimes we’ll need to change that. In an ideal world we’d have a mix of options and we’re working very hard to get that. There are a variety of ways to win a football game but winning it is the main thing.

“We’re not going to suddenly become a route-one team and bang it forward but we need options, too.”

Wilder is also in the market for centre-halves and has been linked with Kyle McFadzean and Barnsley’s Paul Digby.