Sheffield United have accepted defeat in their long-running pursuit of John Swift with The Star reporting Premier League clubs Leeds United, Wolves and Burnley are all weighing up bids for the Reading star.
With his contract up next summer and Reading’s financial situation far from secure, the chances of Swift extending his stay at the Madejski look slim – particularly with a handful of clubs from the division above taking a keen interest in the former Chelsea youngster.
And, given Bielsa has a memory longer than your average African elephant, it should come as no surprise the Portsmouth-born 26-year-old is still on his radar.
Reports coming out of South Yorkshire state Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keen on Swift, weighing up a January bid for a man who could be available for a knock-down sum with just eight months until he makes a splash in the free-agent pool.
As a result, The Star believes Sheffield United will accept defeat, a side sitting 18th in the Championship fully aware they no longer have the pulling power they had in 2020 when they first expressed an interest in Swift.
Leeds, Burnley and Wolves all interested in Reading star John Swift
“Sheffield United were interested in him when they were in the Premier League when I was at Reading,” former Royals ace Charlie Adam explained recently.
It’s worth remembering as recently as June 2020 a Sheffield United side dreaming of European qualification was battering Chelsea 3-0 at Bramall Lane.
How times have changed.
“It’s going to be difficult (to keep him at Reading),” Adam adds. “The longer his contract runs down, the club will have to look at (selling him). He’s a talented player.”
Swift is currently in the form of his life, producing eight goals and seven assists in the Championship this season.
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