Sheffield United are determined to sign Charlton Athletic star Ricky Holmes – but Wednesday could do with a goalscoring winger.
Charlton Athletic appear to be making retaining one player, rather than bringing others in, their main priority this summer. Kent Live reports that The Addicks are desperately attempting to tie talismanic winger Ricky Holmes down to a new contract with only 12 months remaining on his current deal.
However, this will not prevent Sheffield United from making their move. The newspaper reports that The Blades, who are preparing for a return to the Championship after storming to the League One title, are willing to increase their initial offer to make Holmes one of their first signings of the window.
The 29-year-old has a good relationship with United boss Chris Wilder after all. Northampton Town’s emphatic League Two title win last season owed much to Holmes’ goalscoring exploits from the wing.
However, you wonder whether the club across the Steel City will also make their move for Charlton’s Player of the Year.
With Sunderland loanee Will Buckley unlikely to remain at Hillsborough after an injury-ruined loan spell and Marco Matias doing little to worm his way back into the first-team plans with a needless sending off against Fulham on the final day of the Championship season, Sheffield Wednesday could be in the market for wingers this summer.
Sheffield Wednesday’s William Buckley
And though former Portsmouth and Barnet schemer Holmes has never played in the second tier, his 2016/17 form suggests he deserves a chance at a higher level.
Furthermore, after hitting an impressive 13 goals from wide areas last season, Holmes could offer a much-needed goal threat for a side outscored by all but one team in the top eight last season.
Plus, there’s the added bonus of raining on United’s return parade.
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