"Sunderland could be a good bet" - Pundit reacts as Sheffield United and Burnley plot winger transfer | OneFootball

Liam Millar is said to be being tracked by a number of Championship clubs over the summer, with the likes of Burnley and Sheffield United said to be keen on the Canadian.

The 24-year-old excelled for Preston North End during the previous second tier campaign, netting five goals and providing a further five assists for the Lilywhites on loan from FC Basel.

Those performances have seen interest grow from the recently relegated pair of late, while fellow Championship side Sunderland are also said to be interested in making a move for the tricky winger.

With just one year remaining on his contract with the Swiss side, the Clarets and the Blades are said to be considering making a move for the former Liverpool man, in the hope he will help them in their efforts to bounce straight back to the top flight next season.

“Could be a good fit for him”: Carlton Palmer on Sheffield United, Burnley, Sunderland, Liam Millar interest

Having come up through the ranks at Anfield, Millar left Merseyside for Switzerland in the summer of 2021, and played over 60 times for his current club before securing the loan move to Deepdale last year.

The forward wasted no time in announcing his arrival to the Lancashire side, as he netted 25 minutes into his debut in a 2-1 win against Plymouth Argyle, before finding the net four more times over the course of the campaign.

North End will be desperate to try to persuade him to return to club for the following campaign, and Carlton Palmer has had his say as their local rivals continue to cast the eye over their former loanee.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: “Preston North End are trying to pull out all the stops to keep the player at the football club, but the likes of Burnley, Sheffield United and Sunderland have joined the race for him.

“Preston were there or thereabouts this season, but Burnley and Sheffield United will be pushing for automatic promotion, while Sunderland will be knocking on the door.

“Who will be the best fit for him? Sheffield United under Chris Wilder could be a good fit for him, we already know Burnley have good wingers, and Sunderland could be a good bet depending on the manager that takes over.”

Palmer: Liam Millar signing would show Preston North End mean business

Millar proved to be an influential signing for Ryan Lowe’s side last season, although North End failed to capitalise on their strong start to the campaign as they finished up in tenth spot in the table.

After being in the playoff picture as late as April, Palmer bemoaned the lack of transfer activity earlier in the year to give the Lilywhites that final push towards the tail end of the campaign.

The former Sheffield Wednesday man believes the retention of Millar could show they mean business in the next campaign, if Lowe [pictured] is given funds to bolster the team alongside him.

Palmer continued: “Liam will want to keep playing and get that game time, you look at Preston North End last season, they didn’t do a lot in the transfer window in January, which will have been disappointing for the manager.

“They finished tenth in the table, losing their last five games in a row that saw them end up ten points short of the playoffs, but it wouldn’t be a bad move for him to stay at Preston North End.

“If he is playing regular football, the manager knows him, and if the recruitment can be done right so Preston are challenging at the top of the table, that could be a good bit of business.

“Liam has enjoyed his time there, so you would think that would put them in pole position.”

North End will be ruing not agreeing an option, or obligation, to buy Millar at the end of his loan deal, with his strong performances earning him plenty of attention this summer.

Reports have been suggested that Basel would be willing to sell the 24-year-old for a similar fee to the £1.3 million they paid Liverpool back in 2021, making him an appealing transfer for many a Championship side.

It remains to be seen where Millar’s future lies heading into the summer, but it looks likely that we will see his trickery and flair light up the EFL once again in the next campaign.