"Bigger coffers than Derby" - Pundit tips Watford to win transfer battle for Sheffield United player | OneFootball

Ex-England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer believes Watford have a strong chance of beating Derby County in the race to sign Sheffield United midfielder Ben Osborn due to their greater financial resources.

Osborn joined the Blades from Nottingham Forest in July 2019, and he has been an important player for the club over the last five years, but with his contract at Bramall Lane expiring this summer, his future is uncertain.

The 29-year-old, who was a regular for United this season as they were relegated from the Premier League, was initially announced as being available on a free transfer in the club's retained list, but discussions are ongoing with the club over a potential new deal.

Journalist Alan Nixon claims that the Blades were set to offer Osborn a one-year contract extension before that decision was reversed, but the club "may yet try to bring him back once they have new owners and more funds".

However, while United wait for their takeover to be completed, they could lose Osborn to another club, with Nixon revealing that Watford and Derby County are both interested in the midfielder.

Carlton Palmer predicts Watford to defeat Derby County in Ben Osborn transfer battle

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that Derby County would be a better move for Osborn than Watford, but he believes the Hornets' ability to offer bigger wages could give them the edge.

"It looks like Chris Wilder is set to lose out on Ben Osborn, unless a takeover can happen pretty quickly," Palmer said.

"It's believed that Wilder is keen to offer the left-footed midfield player a contract extension of one year, but unless the takeover is ratified, his hands are tied at present.

"So that's opened the door to Watford and Derby County, who are keen on his signature.

"You're looking at what will happen at Derby under Paul Warne, they got promoted playing a really good brand of football, and Tom Cleverley, a young, up-and-coming manager, is looking to rebuild at Watford. "You would think that the budget at Derby will be nowhere near the level of budget that will be available to Tom Cleverley. "It's not where you think will be the better fit, but I think Watford will have bigger coffers than Derby, that's just as simple as it is. "I actually think it would be a good move for him to go to Derby with some stability in the club, in the squad, whereas with Watford, you don't know who is going to be manager from one month to the next.

"My choice for Ben Osborn is Derby, but unfortunately, I think the purse strings of Watford might just push this deal through for them."

Ben Osborn facing tough decision amid Sheffield United uncertainty

It is a difficult decision for Osborn on whether to wait for the Blades' takeover to be completed or to sign a contract with a new club.

Osborn's preference would surely be to stay at Bramall Lane, and given the fact he was a regular in the second half of the season, Wilder will be keen to keep hold of him, but as United supporters know all too well, takeovers can be a lengthy process, and Osborn will want to have his future settled as soon as possible.

Palmer is right that Derby would be a better move for Osborn, and while his connection with local rivals Forest could complicate the situation, the midfielder was born in Derby, so he could be tempted to make the switch to Pride Park.

Watford would also be a decent option for Osborn, but as Palmer says, Derby is a much more stable environment, and he would likely be guaranteed more game time with the newly-promoted Rams.