"We need help" - Chris Wilder provides Sheffield United striker update as pursuits of Liverpool's Rhian Brewster and Folarin Balogun of Arsenal continue

United have made Rhian Brewster their top striking target ahead of October 5's transfer deadline between Premier League club, but have compiled a list of alternative names should they lose out on the Liverpool striker.

Wilder has made contact with Jurgen Klopp, his counterpart at Anfield, over signing Brewster - most likely on a loan deal - and has also made an enquiry about Folarin Balogun, the pacy young striker who is out of contract at Arsenal last summer.

"We need somebody in the building," said Wilder, ahead of Sunday's Yorkshire derby against Leeds United.

"I've said that to the board, that we need to add to the group. I've made that obvious and we're working hard on it.

"We're after a centre forward and there's a few out there. We need to add. We've got a little bit of time to get someone in, which we need to do.

"We're not sure how long Moose [the injured Lys Mousset] is going to be out for, and we can't just rely on Oli Burke. We need help in there.

"I've made my feelings known to the board right the way through the window but it isn't as easy as people think. It's a difficult job getting the right one."

Pressed specifically on Brewster, Wilder admitted he feels "uneasy" talking about another club's player.

The England U21 striker spent last season on loan at Swansea, and helped to fire them into the play-offs with a rich vein of form after lockdown.

He featured for Liverpool in their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, missing a penalty in the shootout, but was not named in the matchday squad for either of the Reds' Premier League games so far this season.

Villa had also been monitoring Brewster’s situation, but the £19m signing of Bertrand Traoré may see that interest cool.

"There are other names on our list," Wilder confirmed. "Because we can't just chuck everything into one player."

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