Former Sheffield United Fan-favourite’s Future Now in Doubt – Could the Blades Swoop in For Him? | OneFootball

Former Sheffield United player David Brooks’ proposed move from Bournemouth to West Bromwich Albion is now reportedly off, according to BBC Sport’s Steve Hermon.

Despite this, there are rumours that the Welsh international’s head has been turned by another second tier club at the last minute, with speculation emerging that this club is Birmingham City. However, no concrete reports have emerged.

David Brooks’ Story After Sheffield United

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, and David Brooks of AFC Bournemouth interact at full-time after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth at Bramall Lane on November 25, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Brooks began his professional career at Sheffield United, making his debut in 2016 before bursting onto the scene in the 2017/18 Championship season. His first senior goal was scored against Leeds United in a 2-1 victory. Although his time at Bramall Lane was short-lived, Brooks made 37 senior appearances, scoring three times and adding eight assists, which was enough to earn a move to Premier League side Bournemouth in the summer of 2018.

Brooks showed flashes of brilliance at the Cherries before being diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021. Thankfully, after chemotherapy, the Welshman made a successful recovery in 2022, and he featured more frequently in Bournemouth’s matchday squad last season, making 33 appearances where he netted a couple of goals and a couple of assists.

However, most of these appearances came late off the bench, and it is thought Brooks wants to be a regular starter, which is exactly what the Blades could offer him in the Championship.

Could Blades Land Bramall Lane Return For the Popular Brooks?

Sheffield United have a clear shortage of attacking midfielders/wingers as of writing, with only: Gustavo Hamer, Callum O’Hare and Andre Brooks identifying as first-team players in these specific roles from last term. This is of course because Ben Brereton Diaz and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi returned to their parent clubs in the summer, additionally, Rhian Brewster is officially a free agent.

At 27 years of age, Brooks still has plenty left in the tank, as he’s proven to everybody since his health scare.

Last season, compared to the rest of the attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League, Brooks ranked in the 73rd percentile for key passes per 90, 81st percentile for shot-creating actions per 90, he also ranked in the 87th percentile for crosses into the penalty area – something the Blades massively lacked last term.

While he has had limited starts, these creative numbers do suggest he’d still be a very good player to have in a Championship promotion-chasing team. There is proof of this theory from his short loan spell at Southampton in January 2024.

Brooks’ Previous Loan Spell in the Championship Showed He’s Too Good

After joining the Saints on loan late in the 2024 January transfer window, Brooks made 17 Championship appearances, with 11 of those being starts. And he produced two goals and five assists for a Southampton side that would eventually gain promotion to the Premier League in the play-offs.

During this loan spell, the former Blade racked up some monstrous numbers. He ranked in the highest possible percentile for expected assists and passes into penalty area, shot-creating actions via live ball pass. To add, he averaged over five shot-creating actions per 90 (96th percentile).

If the Blades even have a slight chance of signing him they should be exploring it as he’s clearly a level above the Championship. The only real issue with Brooks at this stage is: is he capable of being a regular starter for 35+ Championship games, and at the sort of intensity Ruben Selles wants his players to be working at in the 2025/26 campaign?

United were carried by Gustavo Hamer and Tyrese Campbell from a creative and goal threat aspect last season, adding a David Brooks and a couple of other wingers to the squad should help them in this regard. But have they missed the boat?

All stats taken from FBref.