Exclusive: Don Goodman reveals "surprise" at Oli McBurnie not picking Sheffield United | OneFootball

Sheffield United were beaten to the transfer by Hull City

Oli McBurnie is set to join Hull City following the mutual termination of his contract with Las Palmas.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, the 29-year-old has decided to join the Tigers after they were given clearance by the EFL to make a bid for his services.

The Star reported that Sheffield United offered McBurnie the opportunity to make a Bramall Lane return, but the striker has seemingly opted against this.

That decision has come as somewhat of a surprise, given the fact that Sheffield United came within an inch of promotion to the Premier League last term, whilst Hull retained their Championship status on goal differential.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, former EFL striker and Sky Sports pundit, Don Goodman, was also taken back by McBurnie’s decision.

Don Goodman weighs in on Oli McBurnie’s Hull City decision

“It’s a tiny bit of a surprise that Oli McBurnie would choose Hull City over Sheffield United if that is a genuine option for him,” stated Goodman. “Obviously, Hull City only survived on the last day of last season.

“They currently have transfer embargoes, and I think most people, myself included, fear that their campaign will be done towards the bottom of the Championship rather than the top.

“So, it’s a little bit of a surprise, but Sheffield United will have to keep looking. I do think it's an area they would like to bring a player in.

“They wanted the tried-and-tested McBurnie who, although not prolific, is a handful so it depends who they bring in as to whether missing out on him is a blow.”

Sheffield United could rue missing out on Oli McBurnie

Bringing McBurnie back to Bramall Lane would’ve provided supporters with a warm sense of familiarity in a period that feels very much like a clean slate following Chris Wilder’s exit.

It wouldn’t have been a transfer commissioned for purely sentimental reasons, however. No, the 29-year-old has proven himself to be a deadly operator in the Championship and would therefore inject some much-needed experience into Ruben Selles’ frontline.

Young forwards such as Tom Cannon and Louie Barry within the fold would’ve benefited from McBurnie’s presence, further boosting the Blades’ chance of promotion to the top-flight.

With it now clear that the former Sheffield United frontman has opted for a move to Hull, these possible benefits for the Steel City side no longer exist.

This won’t be a season-defining loss for the Blades, but it could be one that they become increasingly annoyed at if they struggle offensively throughout the year.