At least five clubs are interested in signing Sheffield United striker Ched Evans this summer, according to the Mirror.
As the Daily Mail reports, Evans was one of seven players put on the transfer list by the Blades following their promotion to the Premier League.
Yet despite being under contract at Bramall Lane for another year, apparently the South Yorkshire club are willing to allow the 30-year-old to leave for free.
The Mirror does not outline which teams are interested in Evans. However, there have been a number of rumours about the forward in recent times.
Who wants Ched Evans?
Oxford United are among those chasing Evans as their manager, Karl Robinson, has admitted he is keen.
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“He’s a player I like. I don’t think there are many better strikers in League One,” Robinson told the Oxford Mail.
“I don’t know who else is in for him, but we have some sort of interest, yes.
“Whether it’s a possible one we don’t know.”
Portsmouth had also been linked with Evans, but according to The News the club have categorically denied it.
What does seem likely is that the attacker will be making a return to League One. Evans impressed on loan in the division last season at Fleetwood Town, scoring 18 goals in 41 games in all competitions.
Therefore there is a chance Fleetwood could be among those keen on bringing the Welshman back to Highbury Stadium.
Evans’ record in the third tier of English football is excellent. He has scored at a ratio of around a goal every other match, with 51 strikes in 100 appearances to date.
However, there is a certain amount of controversy that any interested party will likely take into consideration when looking to sign Evans.
The Manchester City academy graduate was convicted of rape in 2012 and spent two-and-a-half years in prison. Evans was then acquitted of the crime in a retrial in 2016.