Wrexham's Callum O'Hare interest copper-fastens Sheffield United 'exposed' warning from Chris Wilder
Chris Wilder warned last week about clubs being exposed late in the transfer window
“I've said all along, regarding the transfer window, it really is madness, and how you're left exposed at any particular time, how the clubs are left exposed.”
This was Chris Wilder speaking a week ago and after The Star reported on Sunday night that Wrexham were interested in signing Callam O’Hare before tomorrow night’s deadline, the Sheffield United manager’s worst fears could materialise
Wilder went on ,during that press conference, to reference Leeds United’s interest in Gus Hamer last year when they made a last ditch multi-million pound move for the Blades talisman, which the club managed to stave off at that time.
What Wilder then described as a ‘no-win situation’ last week really comes down to the personality of the player.
If he wants the move and the club turn it down, then you are left with an unhappy member of the team, potentially somewhat sapped of motivation.
Then again, with finances not exactly at their best , should the Bramall Lane bean-counters decide that they could do with the cash - O’Hare would be worth a pretty hefty sum - then Wilder and his recruitment team are left scrambling for someone to fill the gap, with time running out and his squad almost certainly weakened, regardless if a replacement is found or not.
There’s no suggestion that O’Hare is the kind of person to throw his toys out of the pram if he was to show interest in the switch to North Wales and any move be shut down by United. Indeed, with his close friend Hamer now back to Coventry City, the 28-year-old, who was last season’s Player of the Year, could thrive as being the main man in an attacking sense at United.
But it’s a situation that Wilder could do without as time ticks towards 11pm on Tuesday night and with a match at home to Bolton Wanderers to also contend with.
On Friday, the Blades boss repeated his belief that no-one that he wants to stay would be leaving the club but he admitted himself that he can’t promise anything with 100% security because ultimately, he knows the final call doesn’t always rest with him.
“As far as I'm concerned, everything's good. Everything's sweet and we're good to go and good to keep everybody in the building,” he said ahead of Saturday’s match against Cardiff City, which the Blades would go on to draw 2-2.
“I can't 100% say that because you never know what comes round, but you really don't put yourself in a position over the next 24, 48 hours to cover those sales.
“I'd like to think that our club would resist any bids going into, especially the last 12 hours or 24 hours, because how difficult it is to replace them and to support me and back me in terms of the team that I'm trying to build to win games of football in this division.”
Any interest from Wrexham, should it become more than that and a concrete bid is placed, turns the spotlight again on United’s owners.
They either take the money or they back their manager.