Sheffield United footage mystery sparks Sydie Peck concern after fresh West Ham United transfer links
As Sheffield United returned to Shirecliffe for the first full day of pre-season, supporters were quick to notice one notable face missing from footage released by the club as transfer speculation continues.
Sheffield United returned to Shirecliffe today for the first day proper of pre-season training - and an innocent-enough behind-the-scenes video caused a stir amongst some Unitedites this afternoon. The Blades were in briefly last week for testing after their summer break.
But they were quickly into their work at the training ground today, both in the gym and out on the grass. A number of familiar faces could be spotted on a video posted by United’s social media team, including skipper Japhet Tanganga, left-back Harrison Burrows and talismanic forward Gus Hamer.
One notable face not seen in any of the shots, however, was midfielder Sydie Peck and the apparent absence was quickly picked up on by a number of Blades fans. To add to the intrigue, the video was deleted from Twitter soon after before being reuploaded with different music.
The Star has not yet been able to confirm whether Peck was or was not at training today, amid ongoing speculation about his future. But just days after losing Andre Brooks to Championship rivals Norwich City, the concern about another of the club’s biggest assets is understandable.
West Ham United have emerged as another potential destination for the midfielder, who was born in London, after joining United in the Championship while Nottingham Forest and Brentford are understood to be monitoring the situation of a 21-year-old who was nominated for the Championship’s young player of the year award last term.
Peck is under contract at Bramall Lane until at least 2028, while the Blades’ recent policy has been to insert options into the deals of their young stars. As such, United should be in a good position to maximise the value of their asset if offers do arise.
There remains a reality that players may leave this summer if their valuations are met, especially with recently introduced financial rules further squeezing United after the loss of parachute payments.
But boss Wilder has warned the vultures that the Blades will not be a soft touch in the transfer market, and the hope is that those above him are on the same page. Speaking earlier this summer, Wilder said on reports that United have to sell Peck and Hamer in the upcoming transfer window: “If we have to sell a player or two, then we will do.
“As long as we don't give them away. That's my take on it. If we have to raise money, we have to raise money. The owners put a lot of money into buying the football club. And they put a lot of money in in terms of the investment at the start of the season as well.
“And if that's the case, that's the case. I'm OK with that but we can't develop these players and just let them go for nothing. We can't buy players and let them go cheaply, or not at the right price for us.
“But the majority of clubs in this division are at the stage where we have to recuperate. You've all seen the numbers, , you've all seen how difficult it is in the Championship with the salary cost management or whatever the letters stand for.
“So, I work in tandem with [chief executive] Steve Bettis and work in tandem with the owners to do what's right for the football club in the short, medium and long term. But, we're hopeful that we keep the majority of our players. But if we have to sell and the price is right, we'll do that and carry on from that point.”