Tyrese Campbell contract conundrum gives Sheffield United a big decision to make
Tyrese Campbell has just over a year remaining on his Sheffield United contract, meaning the hierarchy could find themselves having a big decision to make this summer.
It is not only Gustavo Hamer’s Sheffield United future that is under the spotlight this summer.
There is also plenty of attention surrounding Tyrese Campbell’s future at Bramall Lane. Like Hamer, he is very close to entering the final year of his contract in S2.
Signed on a free transfer in August 2024, Campbell arrived at Bramall Lane having been released by Stoke City at the end of the previous season. He signed a three-year deal with the Blades, meaning he now has just over a year remaining on his existing deal.
Campbell was a roaring success in his first season at Bramall Lane, scoring 11 goals. His headline moments were scoring the winner against Sheffield Wednesday in the derby at Bramall Lane, sealing a 1-0 victory, and opening the scoring against Sunderland in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Despite scoring twice against Wednesday this season, helping the Blades brush them aside at Hillsborough, winning 3-0 in November, Campbell failed to regularly hit the heights this term, scoring just six goals in 36 games. A knee injury brought his campaign to a premature end in March, meaning he last featured when the Blades were beaten 2-1 by Norwich City on March 11.
Following Patrick Bamford’s arrival at Bramall Lane in November, regular starts became infrequent for Campbell, who has made just four Championship starts for the Blades since Christmas. The former quickly provided the presence of an out-and-out centre-forward that Wilder had been craving, and he plundered 13 goals in 29 games after joining the club to establish himself as United’s chief marksman.
Bamford is one of only a handful of players guaranteed a place in Wilder’s plans for next season amid his plan to transform the landscape of his squad this summer. He wants to make enough changes that will guarantee United a progressive campaign next term.
Based on last season’s evidence, Campbell could have a role to play. He was brilliant last term, providing another example of Wilder getting a tune out of a low-risk, high-reward signing.
However, his contract situation gives United a decision to make this summer. The Blades normally cash in on players entering the final 12 months of their existing deals to avoid losing them for free. Sander Berge, Iliman Ndiaye and Anel Ahmedhodzic are examples of that policy.
The downside of that policy is that players are often sold for less than their true value. In Campbell’s case, a regressive campaign this term means United may be more willing to do a deal if an offer lands at their door.
Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers were linked with a move for Campbell relatively recently, meaning interest looks as though it will be there this summer. He does not turn 27 until December, meaning he is still a few years away from his peak, and he boasts a respectable goalscoring record.
However, Wilder has already admitted that United won’t be “mugged off” by low-ball offers, suggesting they will not be bullied into a sale regardless of Campbell’s contract situation.
Speaking last month, Wilder said: “Tyrese was outstanding last year. He's not hit the heights at all this year. So if he re-signs, then great. And then it's up to us and him to get him back to the standards that he set in that season.
“We still think there's a player in there. But as always, the question will be: ‘Do you want to be part of our new journey?’ And if they don't, then we'll do our best to facilitate that and make things happen.
“Without getting mugged off by somebody just offering or low-balling us on a price that we don't think is reasonable for us.”
At this juncture it is impossible to predict what the landscape of United’s forward line will look like come the start of next season. Danny Ings is poised to be released and the jury remains out on Tom Cannon, leaving Campbell as the most likely figure to challenge Bamford.
With his contract situation staring United in the face, a decision will have to be made on whether they are prepared to let him go or he is part of the plans, increasing the risk of him leaving for free in just over a year’s time if he doesn’t sign a new deal.
It is a puzzle that may only have a clear answer once offers start to potentially filter through.