Chris Basham has insisted he was unaware of any interest in his services from Newcastle United prior to him signing a new contract.
Basham’s new two-year deal was announced shortly after the defender was named Sheffield United’s player of the season on Saturday.
It followed a report in The Daily Mail that Newcastle, Basham’s first club, were keen on the north-east native, along with their Premier League rivals Burnley.
But asked if there was any truth to those Newcastle links, Basham told BBC Radio Sheffield: “Not as far as I know. I think there’s always going to be speculation when the window starts creeping open – you know more than anybody that can happen.
“But yeah, I don’t see myself anywhere from here. This is classed as home for me now. I’m perfectly happy here. I can’t wait to kick on again next year – just give us that hunger again, that little bit of a belief that I’m going to be here playing in the Premier League again.
“So it’s a weight of my shoulders. It is a bit of a stressful period. So, glad that’s all been done now and I’m sure there’ll be a few more, hopefully, boys following us through the door.”
Basham, a former season ticket holder at Newcastle’s local rivals Sunderland, moved to Sheffield United from Blackpool six years ago and has helped the Blades climb two divisions in that time.
The 32-year-old started all 38 of Sheffield United’s Premier League fixtures last season, and registered one assist.
In total he made 25 direct goal contributions in 282 Blades outings.
Newcastle fans – would Basham have been a good signing?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
