Sheffield United: Blades dealt blow in Neal Maupay pursuit as Sevilla enter transfer race

The Blades headed into the weekend with one less competitor for the Frenchman’s services, after Aston Villa effectively ended their pursuit with the £22 million capture of Brazilian striker Wesley from Club Brugge.

However, a perhaps more serious threat has now emerged, with 2015/16 Europa League winners Sevilla reportedly now keen on the Bees marksman.

According to French outlet L'Equipe, Maupay's agent has flown to Seville to have discussions with the Spanish side, as they look to improve on their sixth place league finish last season.

Strangely, the report suggests that Brentford will demand a mere €10m for their star player, despite him still having two years left on his contract. Indeed, Previous reports have suggested that the Bees are looking for an offer in the region of £20m.

Signing from Ligue 1 also-rans AS Saint Etienne for a mere £1.6m in 2017, the Frenchman eased his way into English football, before enjoying a spellbinding 2018/19 campaign in which he scored 28 goals and made eight assists. Having lit up the English second tier, the 22-year-old is showing signs of being ready to take the next step up, and could well seal a big money move in the summer transfer window.

Swansea City's Oli McBurnie and Middlesbrough's Britt Assombalonga are also believed to be on the Blades' radar, while West Bromwich Albion's Jay Rodriguez has also been linked with a switch to Bramall Lane.