The state of play with John Lundstram and Sheffield United as Rangers "continue to eye" Blades midfielder

John Lundstram is moving closer to the Sheffield United exit door by the day as he refuses to commit his future to Bramall Lane by signing a new deal.
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The midfielder's current contract expires this summer and he is now free to sign a pre-contact agreement with a 'foreign' club - which includes any playing in Scotland, which could be significant.

The state of play

Lundstram signed a three-year deal when he signed for the Blades in 2017. United were then in the Championship and Lundstram was the captain of Oxford United, then in League One.

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United paid around £700,000 for Lundstram's services, with United's coaching staff viewing him as one of the best talents in the lower leagues.

His contract contained an option, in the club's favour, which meant they could extend it for a further year.

On the pitch

Lundstram had a stop-start start to his Blades career but came into his own when United were promoted to the Premier League, with boss Chris Wilder ditching the No.10 position and electing to play with a flat three in midfield.

Sheffield United's John Lundstram was sent off at Brighton: MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSheffield United's John Lundstram was sent off at Brighton: MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Sheffield United's John Lundstram was sent off at Brighton: MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Lundstram scored the winner against Crystal Palace early in United's first season back in the Premier League and added valuable goals from midfield as they finished ninth, threatening the European places before the coronavirus pandemic saw the season suspended.

Contract talks

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United had opened negotiations with Lundstram and his representatives long before then, mindful that his deal was set to expire in the summer of 2020.

United offered the midfielder a contract that, in Wilder's words, would make him one of the top earners at Bramall Lane. That deal remained on the table since, but Lundstram declined to sign it. So United invoked their clause to keep him at the club until this summer.

As such, Lundstram's current deal is effectively the one he signed back in 2017 in the Championship, albeit with the customary rises involved with promotion. Most of the promotion squad have since signed new deals which will reflect United's Premier League status, including Lundstram's good friend George Baldock.

So, what now?

Wilder has resigned himself to losing Lundstram, and his name has been again circulated to clubs this window as United look to at least recoup some cash for a player who can walk away for nothing at the end of June.

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"There's been no enquiries for John," Wilder admitted before the transfer window opened.

"If someone comes in we have to assess that because they will have to come in with a fee and we will have to assess whether it's worth doing that or not."

Lundstram's position could be strengthened as a free agent, although the current situation with Covid-19 means there are no guarantees.

But if another Premier League club does pick him up, as he'll hope, then the lack of a transfer fee will mean he can command a higher salary. A figure of £40,000 a week has been suggested in media reports.

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Another route could be to sign a pre-contract agreement this month, with Rangers thought to be keen. As a boyhood Liverpool fan and a Scouser, the attraction of working with Steven Gerrard is an obvious one for Lundstram - not to mention the chance to play for a club of Rangers' size.

Whatever happens, the player and his agent are confident of a bumper pay-day and someone will pick up a good player on the cheap. The only party that really loses out in the whole saga is Sheffield United.

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