Events at Bramall Lane could have an impact on Oli McBurnie's next move
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Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder (right) with Oli McBurnie
(Image: PA Wire)
Sheffield United are reportedly set to sack Chris Wilder following their failure to win promotion back to the Premier League.
According to Sky Sports, Wilder's exit is set to be confirmed within the next 24 hours, in a move that will clearly have big ramifications for the Blades, as they bid to rebuild ahead of the new Championship season.
It's a development that could also have a big impact on Oli McBurnie's next move. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here.
The striker is to leave Las Palmas on a free transfer this summer following the club's relegation from La Liga, and has seemingly attracted the interest of several clubs back in the UK.
Our colleague at Hull Live report that Hull City are now seemingly well placed to complete a move, and claim the player is set to hold talks with Tigers chief Sergej Jakirovic this week.
Hull are believed to have already been in conversations with the Scotland international, who's also been linked with Birmingham City and former club Sheffield United.
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However, it's claimed Wilder's departure has now cast serious doubt on United's interest in the 29-year-old, who spent five years at Bramall Lane after moving from Swansea City for around £17m.
A return to Swansea has also been previously mooted as a possibility, although the chances of a move currently appear slim.
It's understood his name is on a list of potential options, although at the time of writing, the club are yet to firm up their interest, and sources have indicated they are yet to make any contact with the player or his representatives at this stage.
Finances are likely to be a key consideration, with Swans chiefs aware that any move for McBurnie would potentially leave them with less cash to strengthen other areas of the squad, with a central midfielder understood to be the main priority at the moment.
“I think everybody knows about Oli and his qualities and his situation as well," director of football Richard Montague said recently when asked about possible interest in the Scot.
“He is one we have spoken about and will be a name on various lists that we have. He is clearly a very, very good player but I’d be unwilling to say whether that’s progressing or has progressed any further."
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There's also a feeling that one of their current options will likely need to be moved on before a new striker can arrive. Jerry Yates and Mykola Kuharevich are both set to return from respective loan spells, and may well need to be moved on for the club make any move for a striker.
“In theory a lot of things are conceivable," Montague added when asked about the financial side of a possible deal. "But it depends on where you are not going to spend money elsewhere. Not necessarily talking about Oli McBurnie, but it’s all a puzzle where you say how much do we value a particular player, what can he add to us, and how much of our budget should we allocate to any player.
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“But we have attacking players," he added. "So it’s figuring out where everybody fits into that and who is not going to be able to get the minutes they want, which is why I think it’s fair to say there will be outgoings at some point in the window.”