Sheffield United chase ex-Southampton midfielder despite Brentford interest | OneFootball

Sheffield United want to sign Stuart Armstrong according to recent reports

Sheffield United are interested in signing free agent midfielder Stuart Armstrong, despite the fact he's recently been on trial at Premier League club Brentford, according to reports.

Alan Nixon has reported via his Patreon that the Blades are keen on a deal for the Scottish international, who is a free agent after leaving Southampton at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The 32-year-old is searching for a new club this summer, and it recently emerged that he was on trial with Brentford, scoring in a 5-2 pre-season victory over AFC Wimbledon.

Given the Premier League interest, Sheffield United face stiff competition for the Scotland international, but it appears that Chris Wilder is keen to bring Armstrong to Bramall Lane this summer.

After six years at Southampton, Armstrong was recently released after the club's promotion to the Premier League, and it's no surprise to see Sheffield United and Brentford interested in a move for the midfielder given his experience.

The 32-year-old has made 149 appearances in the top flight of English football, as well as helping Southampton win an immediate promotion back to the Premier League last season, something which the Blades will be looking to do this year.

It's reported that Sheffield United boss Wilder has teed up a deal for Armstrong and is waiting for funds to finalise the deal.

However, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank reportedly impressed with the Scottish international's performance on trial, Blades will want to get this one over the line quickly to avoid the West London-based club signing him first.

In the aftermath of the Bees' pre-season victory over Wimbledon, Frank said, per Football Scotland: "Great experience, great player, great career and there is more in him, there is no doubt about that.

"He has been training with us and a bit of helping each other. Him, to get him to a good level, and for us, we have another good player in and that is the plan so far."

Brentford's interest in the midfielder could prove a sticking point for Sheffield United given their status as a Premier League club, and you'd have thought that Wilder's side would have to move quickly to seal a deal for him, with the free agent likely to continue to attract interest throughout the summer.

Signing Stuart Armstrong would be a real coup for Sheffield United

Despite being 32, Armstrong would still be an excellent signing, and it speaks volumes that a club of Brentford's stature are interested in signing him.

It would be a real coup if the Blades fended off interest from a Premier League club to sign him, and it would show that Wilder's side are serious about making an immediate return to the top-flight.

Armstrong played 42 league games for Southampton last season, starting 33 of them, and only missed the last couple of games through injury, which subsequently ruled him out of the club's successful play-off campaign.

He played an important role in helping Russell Martin's side win promotion, and it was reported in June that Serie A side Fiorentina, and Brentford's West London rivals Fulham were keen on a move for him.

However, with less than two weeks to go until the Championship season begins, the ex-Southampton man is still without a club, and the Blades' hierarchy will be hoping they can convince him to make the move to Yorkshire this summer.