The Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has been discussing the futures of John Lundstram and Callum Robinson, after the pair were linked with moves to West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion, respectively.
The Star reported earlier this month that West Ham, along with Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion, are ‘known to have cast admiring glances in Lundstram’s direction’, while The Express and Star claimed recently that the Blades are in talks with West Brom about a permanent deal for Robinson, which could see the Baggies outcast Oliver Burke travel in the opposite direction to Bramall Lane.
Lundstram is in the final year of his contract at Sheffield United, who have offered an extension.
And speaking via BBC Radio Sheffield on Thursday, Wilder insisted that while he would like the Liverpudlian to commit to the Blades, he is ‘comfortable’ with his decision to stall on the proposal and maintains that he will remain at the club if an acceptable bid does not arrive.
Asked if there had been an approach from elsewhere for the alleged West Ham target, the 52-year-old replied: “I’ve not had a phonecall from anybody regarding John. Or any formal offer. I’ll be totally up front with him if anything comes in.
“John’s main focus is getting his head down, having a good pre-season and trying to force himself into a team which, in that department, has got some good players.”
The same cannot be said of Robinson though, in whom Wilder admitted there has been contact, after the 25-year-old impressed while on loan to West Brom last season.
“We’re receiving a lot of phonecalls for the likes of Callum, Luke Freeman, and other players that never really played a big part in our effort last year.
“Yeah, it might be (the case that Robinson is playing elsewhere next season). But he might be playing here.
“The boys are committed. They love it here. You know, they’ve got to think about their futures as well, and playing as well. I understand that and from a financial point of view as well.”
Wilder also reiterated his desire to strengthen his Sheffield United squad ahead of a second successive Premier League campaign, in which they will face West Brom as well as West Ham after the Baggies’ promotion last season.
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