Blades up the ante in bid to sign McBurnie
SWANSEA City are considering an improved offer from Sheffield United for Oli McBurnie.
The club were adamant over the weekend that no fresh bid had come in for the 23-year-old striker after the Blades’ initial £15million interest was turned down earlier this month.
It was understood then that a bid closer to £20million would see Swansea soften their stance towards a transfer.
National media reports at the end of last week suggested that Blades boss Chris Wilder was readying an £18million offer for the Scotland international – and that second bid has now reportedly arrived. A source close to the player has told WalesOnline that a deal is close.
The financial package on the table could eventually amount to £20million.
“You don’t want to lose any good players and anything is possible, but until such time I hear differently, we’ll be preparing with him for Hull, he’s a really good player, and just as good a person,” head coach Steve Cooper said after the win over Atalanta on Saturday.
“As far I’m concerned it’s business as usual and we keep working with him.”
A fee of £20million would go a long way to solve Swansea’s financial problems, adding to the sale of Daniel James to Manchester United. It would bring incoming fees to around the £35million to £40million mark, meaning there could be cash for Cooper to spend before the transfer window shuts on August
8. A striker would surely have to be brought in before the deadline, with McBurnie’s goals leaving a huge gap in Swansea’s squad.
■ More Swans: Page 43