Sheffield United should line up bargain swoop for Rangers-linked Stoke City man: View | OneFootball

Sheffield United are set to lose a host of attacking options in the wake of relegation to the Championship.

The Baldes' relegation was confirmed with three games of the Premier League season remaining, and now up to four strikers could leave the club as part of a mass clearout.

Oli McBurnie and Daniel Jebbison are out of contract and it is unclear as to whether either will remain at Bramall Lane, whilst one of last year's marquee summer signigns Cameron Archer is obligated to move back to Aston Villa permanently following relegation.

Ben Brereton Diaz's loan from Villarreal is also due to expire, leaving United with Rhian Brewster - who has struggled with injuries - and William Osula as the only available forwards right now going into next season for Chris Wilder.

United are set to start next season with a points deduction after defaulting on payments en route to promotion from the Championship in the 2022/23 season, and despite receiving parachute payments from the Premier League, they will have to be more careful with their spending this summer.

Dipping into the free agent market would be a smart move for the Blades, and with striker Tyrese Campbell available after leaving Stoke City, they could have a ready-made solution to their attacking problems.

Campbell struggled for regular game-time this season, at times through no fault of his own having spent two separate periods of the camapign out injured, but has proven in the past to be a reliable Championship striker who - at the age of 24 - could still progress under the right manager.

Campbell's game needs refining if he is to become the prolific forward United need to stage a promotion push next season, but on a free transfer, he offers a low-risk, high-reward move.

Sheffield United need reinforcements up-front amid potential summer rebuild

United look desperately short at the top end of the pitch, with McBurnie, Jebbison, Archer and Brereton Diaz all currently set to leave the club, and Campbell - who has played over 150 Championship games - provides experience despite still having his best years ahead of him.

Having joined Stoke as a teenager eight years ago from Man City, Campbell - the son of ex-Everton striker Kevin - has shown glimpses of the player he could be, twice hitting nine-goal seasons for the Potters since his ascension to the first-team.

Campbell can play off both the left and right wing, but this versatility is a blessing and a curse and has led to an inconsistency in his goalscoring output.

If United were to persist with a move for Campbell, they'd need to be sure they see him as a central striker capable of leading the line rather than a forward who tends to drift wide in search of the ball.

Chris Wilder's side have tended to set up in a 3-5-2 formation this season, opting to play wing-backs instead of wingers, which was his Modus Operandi when leading the Blades to promotion in 2019 from the Championship.

That would mean Campbell would likely get chances created for him by wing-backs and midfielders, and the better quality of team-mate could bring out the best of the left-footer.

Rangers were interested in Tyrese Campbell prior to Stoke City departure

Scottish giants Rangers have always held a strong interest in Campbell as far back as 2020, so it was little surprise that Football Insider reported in February that the Gers' keenness on the forward had been renewed.

The Gers will look to the success of Adam Idah's move from Norwich City to bitter rivals Celtic as an example of the value that can be found in the Championship, with the Republic of Ireland international firing on all cylinders at Parkhead.

Campbell has had his problems with injuries though, and presents a risk to any potential suitor despite a strong end to the season.

The striker netted in Stoke's final two Championship games of the season, but many Potters fans believe he's never returned the same player since a serious knee injury in December 2020.

Campbell has proven he can score regularly at Championship level, and given Wilder's lack of options however with contract situations still needing to be resolved, Campbell could be a bargain on a freebie and is just the type of player that the Blades boss can improve.