Burnley have joined Crystal Palace in the battle to sign John Lundstram when his contract at Sheffield United expires in July, as reported by the Mirror.
It seems the long-serving midfielder will not be bowing out on a high at Bramall Lane after all.
His dreadful clearance in the buildup to Che Adams’ rip-roaring volley on Saturday was bad enough. But his lack of reaction, standing idly by as the Southampton forward consigned Sheffield United to yet another defeat, was unforgivable in the eyes of many Blades supporters.
Lundstram has rejected a multitude of contract offers in recent months.
But if the one-time Everton youngster wants to stay in the Premier League, with Burnley and Crystal Palace interested, he cannot afford many more performances like Saturday’s listless horror show.
The Sun (31 January, page 57) reported that Lundstram was keen to join Crystal Palace on a ‘lucrative’ contract; one that would presumably see him take home far more than the £4,000-a-week wage he currently earns at Sheffield United.
Burnley are interested too, with Lundstram the kind of versatile, homegrown talent who forms the basis of Sean Dyche’s squad.
Although, after Burnley were taken over by American investors ALK Capital, the Clarets faithful might have expected a bit more ambition in the transfer market. An out-of-sorts midfielder, snapped up on a free from a relegated side, is hardly the kind of signing who would get fans flooding to the Turf Moor ticket office.
Burnley’s interest in Lundstram comes amid claims from TEAMtalk suggesting that Josh Brownhill is a target for Aston Villa, Southampton, Wolves and West Ham United.
“He’s got all the attributes. He runs so much in a game, he provides assists and goals. He’s a real menace to other teams and a great player to have,” Sheffield United teammate Billy Sharp said during Lundstram’s impressive debut season in the Premier League (Sheffield Star).
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