"Sheffield United love him" - But who is the Spaniard linked with a move to Bramall Lane in his home country's media?

Chris Wilder is also in the market for a new left-sided defender, following the huge blow of Jack O'Connell's knee injury requiring surgery to sort out for good.

But United may also looking at a new midfielder, if reports are to be believed and possibly with one eye on the future.

John Lundstram is out of contract next summer and can sign a pre-contract agreement with Rangers, one rumoured destination, as early as January.

And the latest name to be linked with Bramall Lane is Marc Roca, a 23-year-old Spanish midfielder who plays for Espanyol.

Espanyol are reportedly keen to offload him after their relegation from La Liga last season, and the Blades and Burnley have been mentioned as possible destinations for a player who Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in recently.

A report on Roca by the Scouted Football website describes his role in Espanyol's system as "the deepest of three midfielders in the 4-3-3.

"It is from here that the youngster bears the responsibility for much of Espanyol’s structure, both in managing the build-up of play and strengthening the team’s ability to recover the ball and prevent counter-attacks."

Roca reportedly has a €40m release clause in his contract, but Espanyol would accept a lower figure than that to release him from his contract.

A report in Spanish news outlet La Grada read that "England is the only market with the economic capacity to face important signings in these days of crisis", adding rather curiously that "as this newspaper has learned, Sheffield United or Burnley love him.

"Obviously this would not be the best option, but as we were saying, English is the only market that can pay for their transfer and offer the player a better salary.

"So if he doesn't find anything else, everything seems to indicate that he will be packing his bags for one of these two teams."

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