Rangers had been looking to lure Jake Cooper to Ibrox.
According to the Daily Mail, Sheffield United want to sign Millwall defender Jake Cooper as speculation mounts over the future of Jack O’Connell.
The Blades opened their league season with a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City, and manager Chris Wilder may be dipping into the market before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
However, star defender Jack O’Connell is attracting major interest, with the Daily Mail noting that Brighton and Hove Albion are ramping up their pursuit of him with a bid of £8million.
If O’Connell does leave Bramall Lane, United will need a replacement, and the same report states that Wilder has identified Millwall’s Jake Cooper as a top target for that role.
Cooper, 23, came up through the ranks with Reading before being offloaded by Jaap Stam, joining Millwall permanently last summer after a successful loan spell in South London.
The 6ft 4in defender would fit as a left-footed replacement for O’Connell, and the speculation will continue the rumours about Cooper’s future, after the Lions fended off Rangers’ interest.
Steven Gerard wanted to bring Cooper to Ibrox this summer, but they appear to have given up their pursuit after failing with a £3million bid, leaving United in the clear if they do bid.
With an Ibrox move unlikely for Cooper, United could now swoop in and snap up Cooper from their Championship rivals – but much will depend on O’Connell’s future first and foremost.
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