Sheffield United’s Sydie Peck transfer stance made clear as Brentford ‘join’ list of Premier League admirers of England U21 starlet
Sheffield United’s transfer stance has already been made crystal-clear ahead of a key summer, with another Premier League club reportedly joining the chase for midfielder Sydie Peck
Chris Wilder has already made Sheffield United’s transfer stance over their key players crystal-clear, as Brentford reportedly became the latest Premier League club to cast an eye over midfielder Sydie Peck. The 21-year-old could depart in the summer as United face up to life without their Premier League parachute payments.
Boss Wilder is aware that some departures may be necessary to raise the cash to fund his big summer rebuild, although moving on as many as 19 players this close-season will free up a sizeable amount in wages.
Gus Hamer is one of the most likely to depart should United receive an appropriate bid for their key man, who will enter the final year of his contract on July 1 if he is still at Bramall Lane. But the Blades are also braced for interest in Peck, the England U21 international whose standing in the game is only growing.
As we’ve previously revealed Nottingham Forest are keeping tabs on Peck but they are far from alone, with suggestions that Everton and Newcastle United are also keen. But Brentford, according to a report from Sportsboom, are confident that their connections with United can give them the edge in any transfer battle.
Sheffield United’s Sydie Peck transfer stance made clear as Brentford ‘join’ list of Premier League admirers of England U21 starlet
Manager Keith Andrews is a former coach at United while Jack Lester, who is on his staff, is another ex-Blades man. The Bees also have a couple of former United employees in their analysis set-up.
While the Blades are braced for departures, though, there is no urgent need for a fire-sale and currently the belief is that if any players are to be prised away this summer, then it will be on United’s terms.
There is a feeling that for too long the Blades sold the family silver on the cheap, with the trajectories of the likes of Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire in the years since they left the Lane evidence of that.
And Wilder, speaking last week, offered his own perspective on inevitable transfer talk in a huge summer. “If we have to sell a player or two, then we will do,” he admitted. “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.”
The report also went on to suggest that Peck would be in favour of a move back to London. But he made the move north at 16 after leaving Arsenal’s academy and is thought to be settled in South Yorkshire.