**Former Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is set to join Chris Wilder and Sheffield United according to reports. The 32-year old has been without a club since leaving Elland Road this summer.**
His departure was among a series of shocking decisions taken by Daniel Farke during pre-season. The Leeds boss revealed that he will not be counting on Bamford as the Whites make their return to the Premier League. And the German coach had every right to take that course of action; the striker had been dealing with injuries and fitness problems in previous seasons and as such was rarely available.
Bamford’s seven-year stint in West Yorkshire came to an end when he and Leeds agreed to mutually terminate his contract. It was believed that he would join a new club before the season began, but that was not the case.
Patrick Bamford set for shock Sheffield United move
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But now, over three months into the new football season, it is now being reported that the striker is close to joining a new team. The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath is reporting that the 32-year old is in talks with Sheffield United and Chris Wilder. This news comes as a bit of a surprise considering that transfer links involving Bamford had died down over the past few weeks.
The striker has been training with Frank Lampard’s Coventry City in recent weeks to gain fitness. A move to Getafe was discussed over a month ago, but the Spanish side decided against a move. If Bamford does join the Blades, he links up with Chris Wilder, who Leeds fans will remember for an infamous incident near the end of last season.
The Leeds player was seen starting a chant calling the Blades boss a ”w\*\*\*\*\*” during celebrations after automatic promotion was confirmed. Wilder started the feud a few years ago when he called out Bamford, and Adam Forshaw, labelling them as ”muppets”. The duo seem to have buried the hatchet since then with Wilder revealing that he spoke to Bamford after the chant incident:
“I’m a big boy, you give it you take it,” he said. “You give it out locally, you take it locally as I’ve always done. We have our moments, other teams have their moments.
“I had a conversation with Pat yesterday and I’ve no issue at all with it.
“I’m not sure about the words from a fellow pro, but I appreciate and respected him giving me a call and we had 20 minutes.”
The Blades need a striker
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Sheffield United have not been in the best of shape since the season started. It was very surprising considering the blades finished in the top three in the Championship last season. New manager Ruben Selles got off to a poor start and was sacked after just six games with Chris Wilder making a surprise return.
Since the 58-year old took over, the team have improved marginally. But they still lack a presence up front, something Wilder has been vocal about. The Blades have scored just 11 goals this season, and will hope Patrick Bamford’s arrival could turn their fortunes around as they hope to turn their season around.
