Sheffield United & Sunderland keen on 11-goal striker as Stoke City decision looms | OneFootball

Sheffield United and Sunderland are set to battle to sign Leicester City forward Tom Cannon, currently on loan with Stoke City

Automatic promotion rivals Sheffield United and Sunderland are set to battle to sign Leicester City forward Tom Cannon, in a potential loan-to-buy deal.

That's according to Alan Nixon, who also reports that there is a break clause in his current season-long loan terms at current club Stoke City, which expires on Wednesday.

Cannon has impressed while on loan with the Potters, scoring nine goals in 22 Championship appearances, four of which came during a 6-1 win over Portsmouth back in October.

The forward has also spread his scoring exploits across all competitions, and previously notched one goal in two EFL Cup outings, while he scored a penalty on Saturday, as the Potters defeated Sunderland 2-1 to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Sunderland and Sheffield United keen on Tom Cannon deal

Everton academy graduate Cannon has been among the goals on a regular basis for the Potters, despite the fact that Mark Robins' side sit just four points above the relegation zone ahead of next weekend's trip to top-six outfit West Bromwich Albion.

Clearly impressed by his attacking threat despite the fact the striker is plying his trade lower down in the Championship, automatic promotion candidates the Blades and the Black Cats are both keen on landing his services.

The Bramall Lane outfit were subject to a takeover by American consortium COH Sports last month, while new owners Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy will be keen to display their positive intent during the current transfer window.

Signing a talented young forward such as Cannon on an exciting loan-to-buy deal would be a strong move by the Blades' new owners, as they look to steer the South Yorkshire club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Meanwhile, Nixon's Patreon post also revealed that United boss Chris Wilder is also pursuing Oli McBurnie's Bramall Lane return, and is searching for a definitive answer prior to the expiration of Cannon's break clause.

As per Nixon, McBurnie's current club, Las Palmas, have blocked an initial approach for the forward from the Blades, but Wilder is hoping to break the La Liga club's resistance.

While amid the Blades' fellow interest in Cannon, the Black Cats are keen on pursuing a loan-to-buy deal for the striker, having already made a similar agreement with Serie A outfit Roma for midfielder Enzo Le Fee.

The striker would be a solid addition for either the Blades or the Black Cats, as they look to acquire an extra attacking edge which would boost their respective automatic promotion credentials.

However, should Leicester recall Cannon from his loan spell with the Potters, in an effort to offload him elsewhere, it would come as a major blow to the survival chances of Robins' side, as the striker has scored six more Championship goals than any of his teammates.

It would be somewhat understandable though, given both Sunderland and Sheffield United are in promotion battles, but that does not mean it wouldn't hurt any less for the Staffordshire side, and it would leave Mark Robins with a big hole to fill.