Chris Wilder's first press conference after his Sheffield United return
Patrick Bamford Sheffield United transfer state of play as Leeds United links resurface despite Chris Wilder anwer
Transfer links between Sheffield United and Patrick Bamford, the former Leeds United striker, first emerged earlier in the summer and have resurfaced over the international break, with boss Chris Wilder desperate to add some further experience and personality to his group. The striker is a free agent after leaving rivals Leeds United in the summer.
The Blades were first credited with interest in the striker earlier in the summer, after Wilder returned to Bramall Lane followed the sacking of Ruben Selles. A mooted move to La Liga side Getafe did not materialise and Bamford remains without a club going into the November international break.
But that could come to an end soon with Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath reporting on Twitter that Bamford is in talks with the Blades over a potential free agent move. That raised eyebrows amongst some supporters, given the history between the striker and Blades chief Wilder
Sheffield United could go after free agent Patrick Bamford
In 2018/19, when United pipped Leeds to automatic promotion to the top-flight, Bamford was one of the players namechecked in a Wilder speech to camera after a few celebratory drinks while Bamford returned the favour after Leeds sealed their place in the Premier League last term, condemning the Blades to the play-offs.
Bamford led the assembled Leeds fans outside Elland Road into a not-so-complimentary chant about Wilder but the pair harboured no hard feelings to each other over the incidents, with Wilder subsequently revealing that Bamford had called him to apologise.
“I am a big boy,” the Blades boss said at the time. “You give it, you take it. You give it out locally, you take it locally as I have always done. We have our moments, other teams have their moments. I had a conversation with Pat yesterday and I have no issue at all with it.
“I am not sure about the words used from a fellow pro, but I appreciate and respected him giving me a call and we had 20 minutes. I spoke to Daniel [Farke, Leeds boss] as well yesterday and had a half-hour chat. He's a super guy. They are a top team and a top football club.”
What has Chris Wilder said about Sheffield United’s free transfer plan?
The resurfaced link could be seen as something of a surprise given that Wilder answered a question about his side looking in the free agent market pretty unequivocally after Saturday’s goalless draw with Queens Park Rangers, telling journalists in his post-match press conference: “No, we're out of that market.”
The potential cons to a deal are obvious. The striker, 32, has not played a competitive game since May 3 and although he is understood to have kept himself fit during the off-season and since, nothing quite replicates the day-to-day process of being attached to a club.
The Blades are already trying to get one striker who signed after the start of the season up to speed, former West Ham United man Danny Ings completing his first 90 minutes in a Blades shirt against QPR on Saturday.
But Bamford would bring proven experience and pedigree to Bramall Lane and Wilder would have a solid sounding board in Farke should he need a character reference on the former England striker.
“He is a player who needs to be the main man,” said Farke after the decision was made to allow Bamford to leave. Only time will tell whether his next career step will be taken at Bramall Lane.
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