HITC Sport understands that Sheffield United have seen a new bid for the Southend United ace rejected.
Southend United have rejected a new and improved bid from Sheffield United for midfielder Ryan Leonard, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.
Championship new boysUnited have made Leonard one of their top transfer targets this summer and have seen several bids rejected by Southend.
Blades boss Chris Wilder is refusing to give up on his pursuit of Leonard and is understood to have tabled a new bid of £500,000 plus add-ons to try to persuade Southend to sell their prize asset.
Ryan Leonard and Joe Riley
However, sources have told HITC Sport that Southend have again rejected United’s latest offer, and it remains to be seen if the Yorkshire club will come back with another offer or move on to other targets.
Millwall are also chasing Leonard and they have seen previous bids rejected by Southend, with Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin insisting the player is not for sale.
Leonard is understood to be keen on a move away from Southend this summer as he wants to play at the highest level possible, and had hoped that the club would not stand in his way of playing in the Championship.
Southend took up the option to extend Leonard’s contract at the end of last season, but the player is unlikely to sign a longer deal that the club plan to offer him.
Leonard joined Southend from Plymouth in 2011, and has since 236 appearances in all competitions and was named player of the year in 2016/17.
Southend United’s Ryan Leonard
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