Neil Etheridge is out of contract at Walsall and is admired by Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder – but will he be playing Championship football soon?
Simon Moore may have started 43 League One games between the sticks for Sheffield United this season but it appears that sentiment cannot be allowed to stand in the way of progress.
The Walsall Advertiser reported last month that Blades’ title-winning boss Chris Wilder is a massive fan of Walsall goalkeeper Neil Etheridge – so much so that he plans to sign him this summer and make him the club’s number one for their first Championship season in six years.
Darryl Westlake, Febian Brandy and Andy Butler all flopped at Bramall Lane after arriving from The Saddlers in recent seasons but there’s no reason to believe the same fate with befall Etheridge.
The former Fulham youngster, and 53-time Philippine international, is one of the finest goalkeepers in English football’s third tier and clearly has the ability to try his hand at a higher level.
Although it appears that Walsall are set to make one, final last-ditch attempt to keep Etheridge at the Bescot Stadium.
The Walsall Advertiser reports that the club will offer Etheridge a new three-year deal to ward off interest from the promotion winning Blades, while other Championship clubs are believed to be interested according to HITC sources.
“Neil has been excellent for us,” manager Jon Whitney said. “We offered him a contract extension earlier this season and whilst we understand he is assessing his options, we have made him a further contract offer in a bid to retain his services.”
With Walsall finishing a lowly 14th, however, you could forgive Etheridge for wanting to take his career to the next level in the Championship.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
