EXCLUSIVE: Sheffield United expected make another Smallbone offer

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 9 Aug 2023 15:02 BST
3 min read

Sheffield United are considering a second bid for Will Smallbone after their initial offer of around £7million was rejected.

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We are told that personal terms won't be an issue for the Ireland international - the Blades are huge admirers of the midfielder and wish to secure a deal. Sheffield views the player as an integral part of their midfield and has had a long-standing interest.

Smallbone spent last season on loan at Stoke City before returning to Saint Mary's this summer, with several Premier League clubs expressing interest. He was positioned in the No. 6 role for the Saints in their opening day fixture against Sheffield Wednesday, a 2-1 win, with Romeo Lavia currently out of the side due to Liverpool being keen on the teenager.

Sheffield, who earned promotion last season from the Championship, are looking to bring in new faces ahead of their Premier League campaign. The club is preparing for the possible departure of Sander Berge, who is nearing a move to Burnley.

© ProShots - Berge is nearing a Burnley switch

Heckingbottom laments Berge's move

Paul Heckingbottom expressed his disappointment over Berge's impending departure to the Clarets. He told talkSport, "The timing of it and the fact that he's going; in my mind, I had prepared for both [Berge and Ndiaye] a long time ago and drawn up plans, which I presented to the club, saying this is what needs to happen.

"The problem is that when you leave it this long, everything has changed in terms of your targets, so that's always been shifting. The club has been informed; they know who we want to bring in, and the sooner we do it, the better."

The Blades will face Crystal Palace in their Premier League opening game on Saturday at Bramall Lane.