Exclusive:Transfer blow for Sheffield United as Rangers steal march in race for key target after Sunderland decision
Transfer blow for Sheffield United as Rangers steal march in race for key target after Sunderland decision
Sheffield United have suffered a transfer blow over one of their key targets in this January window after Glasgow giants Rangers stole a march in the race for his services. The Blades are looking to add to their squad ahead of February 2’s deadline.
But the bulk of their work this month has been outgoings, with Nils Zatterstrom the latest departure earlier this evening as he joined Serie A side Genoa on loan with an option to buy.
The Blades are looking to strengthen in midfield after a spate of availability blows, with Djibril Soumare, Jairo Riedewald and Jamie Shackleton unavailable for tomorrow’s clash with Ipswich Town.
The Blades have drawn up a long list of targets, amongst which was the name of Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil. Neil, who helped the Black Cats to promotion with a play-off final victory over United last May, had been told he was free to leave the Stadium of Light this month.
Transfer blow for Sheffield United as Rangers steal march in race for key target after Sunderland decision
But the Blades are not alone in their admiration for the 24-year-old and he had a number of options on the table ahead of his next move. And Unitedites were hopeful that news of Neil not travelling with his Black Cats teammates for their clash with West Ham tomorrow, reported by Mike McGrath of the Telegraph, could mean he was heading to Bramall Lane instead.
But The Star has been told this evening that Rangers, managed by ex-Wednesday boss Danny Rohl, have stole a march on their rivals in the race for Neil’s services.
That could yet have a knock-on effect in terms of potentially freeing up another Blades target, the Rangers midfielder Joe Rothwell. But that is said to not be a foregone conclusion as the transfer merry-go-round continues.
United have also been linked with Frank Onyeka of Brentford and were said to have enquired about Ross Barkley of Aston Villa earlier in the month, although that interest was never officially confirmed.
United have only managed so far to add Wolves loanee Ki-Jana Hoever to their squad this month, with boss Chris Wilder admitting today that he believes things will “ramp up” next week in the final full week of the window before it slams shut on February 2.
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