Brighton are reportedly set to sign Swansea City’s Oli McBurnie with Premier League newcomers Sheffield United looking at the Middlesbrough’s striker instead.
Oli McBurnie is set to reunite with Graham Potter at Brighton and reject a move to Sheffield United, according to the Northern Echo.
The Scotland international enjoyed a superb 2018/19 season under Potter at Swansea City, scoring 24 goals in all competitions to spark speculation that he could move to the Premier League.
The Sun (19 May, page 63) reported that newly promoted Sheffield United were eyeing a potential £12 million deal. But with Potter being unveiled as the new manager of Brighton on Monday afternoon, it seems that McBurnie is on his way to The Amex rather than Bramall Lane.
This is a blow to Sheffield United but far from a fatal one. Blades boss Chris Wilder has a number of alternative targets after all, among them Neal Maupay and Britt Assombalonga.
Only Teemu Pukki and Tammy Abraham scored more Championship goals last season than Maupay, who plundered 25 for a mid-table Brentford.
Assombalonga, in contrast, had a difficult season under Tony Pulis at Middlesbrough but the Northern Echo reports that Sheffield United will step up their interest in him with McBurnie set to go elsewhere.
Boro, who missed out on the play-offs, could be tempted to cash in if they can recoup the £15 million club-record fee they paid Nottingham Forest in 2017.
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