Leeds United should capitalise on Sheffield United delay to hijack Peterborough United transfer: View | OneFootball

Peterborough United's Harrison Burrows has been linked with a move to Sheffield United, but he would be an ideal fit for Leeds United.

Peterborough United’s Harrison Burrows was reportedly due for a medical at Sheffield United this week, but a move has stalled, leaving other clubs with an opportunity to swoop in, including Leeds United.

According to the Peterborough Telegraph, the 22-year-old’s situation has been complicated by the ownership potentially changing hands at Sheffield United. The Blades have been linked with a move for the wing-back but are thought to have been put off by his price tag.

Sheffield United are currently the subject of a takeover proposal, which has complicated the situation surrounding their interest in Burrows. It has been claimed that current owner Prince Abdullah is seeking investment but intends to keep a stake in the club going forward amid interest from a US consortium.

With Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony said to value his prized asset at £5 million, the price tag on the Posh skipper looks to be out of the Blades' reach at this moment in time. With that in mind, any potential transfer business will likely be put on hold in the meantime, with Chris Wilder outlining the fact he will be dealing with a reduced transfer kitty as it stands.

Peterborough reportedly turned down a lucrative offer for Burrows during the previous transfer window in January. However, a play-off semi-final loss to Oxford United consigned the club to another year in League One, and with just a year left on Burrows' contract, it appears he is likely to now depart the club.

The Athletic reported earlier in the season that Leeds are not planning to offer Junior Firpo a new contract and are thought to be willing to listen to offers for him this summer, regardless of their league status.

There is plenty to be said of some continuity and consistency heading into next season, and that could see the club's stance change on Firpo, and possibly extend his current deal further, especially baring in mind that he is the only specialist senior left-back at the club.

That said, failure to cash in on the left-back this summer would also mean the club would be at risk of losing him for nothing in the summer of 2025 due to his expiring contract, which sees him earn amongst the top players at Elland Road - unsurprising, given that he came from Barcelona.

The 27-year-old has given them food for thought at the back end of the season, though, having made 33 appearances for the Whites, contributing to eight assists, as per Transfermarkt. Not only that, but he has become one of the club's most consistent and reliable performers since the turn of the year.

Despite the calls for some continuity from sections of the fanbase, combined with Firpo's good form in 2024, a change is fairly likely at left-back. Firpo performed admirably but has a patchy injury record, and availability is often marked as the best ability.

If a replacement is needed, one option could be Burrows. The 22-year-old could be utilised in the same way as Firpo, as a very attacking left-back down the flank for Leeds. The Peterborough star lit up League One and contributed to 30 goals last season. Linking with an inverted winger, Burrows is someone who will attack down the left flank and hug the touchline.

Sheffield United's delayed pursuit due to the takeover situation could allow the Whites a chance to strike and they should take it.

Sheffield Star journalist Danny Hall had said that an imminent move between the left-back and Sheffield United was unlikely after those initial rumours had started to circulate surrounding a potential deal. But Burrows was a key player for the Posh last season as the club narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship and feels likely to move on to a Championship club.

The Whites need an aggressive overlapping width holder down that side and could benefit from Peterborough United’s failure to gain promotion in signing their young captain. He has been an assist machine this year and has plenty of room to develop further, whilst suiting a ball-dominant and attacking team like Farke's Leeds will be next year.

While he has never been a strong one-against-one defender, or the strongest in general defensive situations, Firpo has the ability to contribute to the Leeds attack consistently down the left-hand side. He will overlap, and, crucially, hold the width. He is able to do this as he plays on his strong foot and is the only out-and-out left-footed full-back at the club, which opens up passing angles in build-up and crossing opportunities in the final third.

Paired with a defensive-minded right-back on the opposing flank, Burrows could have the freedom to dominate his flank as Firpo has in the second half of the campaign for Leeds. His energy and crossing ability may even be a slight level above Firpo's as well. However, he may not quite yet be at Firpo's in terms of his all-round quality in every action, nor in experience terms, either.

Not signing a specialist left-footer at left-back all season could be what cost Leeds in some ways last term, given Firpo's incredible form in 2024. One vital aspect of Burrow is also that he is rarely injured, as his sheer number of games highlights from this year, which is the main area that he massively upgrades on Firpo.

Not only that, but Burrows has plenty of potential and room to develop further. As the best left-back in League One, it is not abundantly clear how he will translate to moving up a division or if he would be good enough for a team gunning for promotion in the Championship, but there are plenty of major upsides within his skill set that should excite Leeds fans.

A fee of around £5 million may not be affordable for the Blades right now, but should not be too much of an issue for Leeds and a handful of other second-tier sides likely to be interested. Although, it may be contingent on one or two high-profile departures such as Firpo to provide them the transfer kitty required to sign a player like Burrows.