Sheffield United, Oli McBurnie news may hint at £23m man’s exit | OneFootball

Sheffield United’s new Oli McBurnie link could spell bad news for Rhian Brewster

Sheffield United have been linked with a move for their former striker, Oli McBurnie.

That’s according to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon page, who revealed that the two parties could reunite this summer after McBurnie’s current club, Las Palmas, were relegated from La Liga.

It would be an emotional return for the 28-year-old, but the link could spell bad news for one of the Blades’ current strikers, Rhian Brewster.

Brewster’s contract has just expired at Bramall Lane and, while he is still in discussions with the club regarding his future, signing another first-team striking option will not go in the former Liverpool man’s favour.

McBurnie could be heading back to the Blades

It took some by surprise that McBurnie found himself in La Liga with Las Palmas after departing Bramall Lane last summer, and it will equally come as a shock to many that he could be returning to the Yorkshire club so soon.

But with the Spanish outfit unable to avoid relegation, they will need to offload some of their most expensive stars, with McBurnie the club’s joint-third-highest-paid player on €40k per week, according to estimates from Capology.

He signed a three-year deal with Las Palmas, meaning a transfer fee would likely be required, but on account of their recent relegation, he might be available at a lower price.

Still, on wages alone, he’s likely to be a significant investment, with the potential money to be spent suggesting that the Blades are not pinning all their hopes on Brewster.

Brewster is in a difficult spot

There’s no escaping the fact that Brewster hasn’t lived up to the hype of his original £23.5m move from Liverpool in 2020.

He signed a five-year contract at the time and has remained at Bramall Lane for the duration, managing just nine goals and four assists in his 119 appearances for the club.

But it hasn’t escaped the notice of those at the club that he has just come off the back of his best-ever season for the Blades, notching four goals and providing three assists in the Championship.

For that reason, United are currently in discussions with Brewster over a new deal, rather than moving to get him off the wage bill.

Still, their interest in McBurnie tells a story about the contribution they expect from Brewster.

It may be time for a new chapter for Brewster, despite Chris Wilder support

Blades boss Chris Wilder appears keen to keep Brewster at the club, despite his limited contributions over the course of his lengthy contract.

Speaking back in April this year, Wilder was quoted by The Star as saying: “We have to be sensible with contract discussions; we have to do what’s right for us as a football club and Rhian has to do what’s right for himself.

“But I’d like to think with his reaction and how he’s been around the place and his attitude to everything, that he wants to stay here. He's not knocked on my door once and said he wants to leave.

“As far as I’m concerned, I don't see a player who doesn't see his immediate, medium-term future at Sheffield United. But as you all know, contract talks can become quite complicated. If the boy wants to stay, we want him to stay and hopefully we can come to an agreement.”

Without signing him up there and then in the press conference, it’s about as strong as Wilder could have been in establishing his thoughts on the striker.

But Brewster must now, as Wilder said, consider what’s best for him.

Could a fresh environment, surrounded by new players and a new challenge, see him reach his full potential? Will he slip back down the pecking order if players like McBurnie are signed? These are questions Brewster must ask himself.