“I’m a big admirer of him" - Pundit reacts as Sheffield United eye Leeds United player | OneFootball

Sheffield United are weighing up a move for Luke Ayling this summer.

According to The Sun, the Blades are considering making an offer for the right-back, who is set to be a free agent at the end of the campaign.

Ayling is currently on loan with Middlesbrough until the end of the season, but is out of contract with his parent club Leeds United.

The 32-year-old has contributed five assists from 17 appearances in the Championship for the Teesside outfit since joining Michael Carrick’s side in January (all stats from Fbref).

However, it remains to be seen where he will be plying his trade next season, with a departure from Elland Road looking increasingly likely.

Carlton Palmer gives Luke Ayling future verdict

Carlton Palmer is not surprised that Sheffield United are vying for Ayling’s signature this summer, and expects Middlesbrough to push to retain him beyond this loan spell.

He has praised the full-back, and believes he still has plenty to offer for any side chasing promotion to the Premier League.

“Sheffield United are the latest club to be linked with Middlesbrough’s Luke Ayling, the 32-year-old experienced defender,” Palmer told Football League World.

“Sheffield United are relegated back to the Championship, and Chris Wilder will be looking to do a rebuild of his side to get automatic promotion.

“Everybody has talked about Luke Ayling.

“I’m a big admirer of him, I watched him plenty of times at Leeds United

“Everybody talks about his character, even Daniel Farkas said, he’s one of the best professionals around.

“And you need some experienced players around.

"You look at Sheffield United when they got promoted, you had the experience of the centre forward [Billy Sharp], who was all of Sheffield United.

“He was brilliant with the young players, he was still able to come on to the pitch and have an impact.

“But they kept him in and around the building, and he was able to come on and still have an impact.

“Luke is only 32, so he’s not old, he's still a fit lad, and he gives his all.

“We'll have to see at the end of the season whether Middlesbrough offer him a new deal.

“Middlesbrough have picked up under Michael Carrick, and kicked on in the second part of the season and.

“It's just that poor start the season, in one defeat three draws and two wins in their last six games, which is a tremendous effort, which has left them still 10 points short of the playoffs.

“But they weren't able to recruit in the summer, and they didn't do much business in the January transfer window, so to finish where they are at the end of the season is credit to Michael Carrick.

“But I'd be very surprised if Middlesbrough weren’t looking to offer Luke an extension of his contract for one more season given that they want to get promotion.

“But I think also Luke will have plenty of offers; he won't be short.”

Luke Ayling's Leeds career

Ayling has been with Leeds since 2016, singing for the Yorkshire outfit from Bristol City.

He helped the club earn promotion back to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020, spending three years in the top flight with Leeds before their 2023 relegation.

However, the defender started just eight Championship games under Daniel Farke prior to his January departure.

Ayling’s positive Middlesbrough stint

It was a difficult first half of the season for Ayling, as he struggled for consistent game time following Farke’s appointment at Leeds.

However, he has contributed positively to Middlesbrough, and has become a key part of Carrick’s squad.

Boro will surely look to try and tie him down to a contract beyond this season, even if it is only a one or two-year deal.

Remaining with Boro could be appealing, but Sheffield United also have the pedigree or three Premier League campaigns in recent years, which could persuade him to move to Bramall Lane instead.