Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder admits he is “surprised” the club have received no transfer offers for Leon Clarke.
Wilder has been open about the fact Clarke is one of the players the Blades are looking to move on during the January transfer window.
The club is happy to come to an agreement to end the striker’s contract early – with it expiring this summer. Or they will loan Clarke out.
There was reported interest from the Championship in the 34-year-old, with Charlton Athletic, Huddersfield Town and Stoke City all thought to be keen.
Yet, as Wilder reveals, there has been no movement.
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“There’s been no offers for Leon, which I’m really surprised about. I genuinely am,” the 52-year-old told BBC Radio Sheffield. “I think he’s a brilliant January transfer signing.
“If he doesn’t go we’ll see where we’re at with the numbers and the 25 that’s required to fulfil Premier League regulations. If we need a spot filling Leon will be part of that.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody came in for him, because if you need to get out of a division or stay in a division, Leon’s absolutely ideal – great attitude, great experience, scores goals.
“I’m not doing this to move him out. I’m doing it from my honest view and assessment of what Leon’s been like for us as a player.”
Why Leon Clarke is up for transfer
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Clarke played a key role in United’s rise through the divisions after joining the club from Bury in the first summer after Wilder took charge.
Since then they have been promoted twice, with the forward netting 32 goals in 95 appearances to date. Clarke’s best scoring season came in 2017/18 – the Blades’ first back in the Championship in seven years. He finished the campaign with 19 strikes.
Yet opportunities have been limited for Clarke since returning to the Premier League. The attacker has managed just four appearances in all competitions this term, scoring once.
