'Desperate to stay' - Why Chris Basham had no intention of leaving Sheffield United despite reported Newcastle United interest

Newspaper speculation in the north-east suggested that Magpies boss Steve Bruce is an admirer of the United defender, and may look to exploit his contract situation to make a move.

But Basham, whose deal originally ran out next summer, penned an extension until 2022 over the weekend. The deal also contains an option for another year.

And the defender, who was born in the north-east before being released by Newcastle as a youngster, admitted: "When the transfer window starts to open, there's always a bit of talk.

"All the boys have been outstanding so I wouldn't be surprised if more of them were linked with moves. There's always going to be that paper talk but it wasn't [a possibility for me, to leave].

"The manager pushed as much as he could and we all said after lockdown: 'Let's get it done'.

"I was desperate for it to happen, to be honest, and it probably played on my mind a bit too much at times, which it would do because I wanted to stay.

"But we were playing all over the place after lockdown - Saturday, Thursday nights, Sundays - and it was a bit crazy.

"So I said: 'Let's get it out of the way'. And I'm buzzing to have it signed, sealed and delivered."

Basham was also named United's double player of the season on Friday, winning both the supporters' and players' votes.

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