Sheffield United have made exploratory contact with one of the Premier League's longest-serving players as Chris Wilder looks to add experience, but the veteran is yet to decide whether to continue playing or move into coaching.
Sheffield United have made a tentative enquiry to Seamus Coleman over a potential transfer this summer, The Star understands, as the Everton legend weighs up the next move in his career. Coleman, 37, left the Premier League side at the end of last month after 17 years.
A £60,000 signing in 2009, he made well over 400 appearances for the Toffees and left this summer as a club legend. United are in the market for right-back reinforcements, to challenge Femi Seriki, with Chris Wilder keen to recruit more experience in this window.
Not many available this summer would offer more of that than the Republic of Ireland international, and we have been told that United have made exploratory contact with Coleman over a potential Bramall Lane move.
Nothing is understood to be imminent, however, with Coleman still deciding whether to prolong his playing career or hang up his boots and move into coaching. The opportunity of a role at Everton is thought to be on the table for him.
Reports last night suggested that Coleman is training with United but sources close to the Blades have suggested to The Star that isn’t the case, with boss Wilder potentially clarifying the Coleman situation after this weekend’s friendly at Chesterfield.
United have already been priced out in their hopes of bringing Kyle Walker back to Bramall Lane, due to the former Blades youngster’s salary levels at their Championship rivals Burnley.
They have also previously been interested in Coleman’s former teammate at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Nathan Patterson. He played for Scotland at this summer’s World Cup but still faces an uncertain future at club level after entering the final year of his contract.
Speaking earlier this summer, ahead of Ireland’s friendlies against Qatar and Canada, Coleman said: "I have always said in my career, family first, football second. They are the only two things going for me, family and football.
"So family will absolutely come into it, but I honestly haven't thought too much about a club or what is next.
"I am looking forward to these two Ireland games and am looking forward to going on holiday, but in football, you never know what will happen. Just see what is next, if it feels right or if it doesn't."
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