Celtic are trying to convince Billy Sharp to join them from Sheffield United during the January transfer window.
The Sunday Post reports that Hoops manager Neil Lennon wants to sign two strikers this month and Sharp is one of them.
The main issue Lennon has is convincing the Blades captain he will get enough game time at Parkhead. Odsonne Edouard is his first choice upfront, but the Scot worries he is relying too much on the 21-year-old.
Which is why Lennon wants to sign reinforcements. However, Vakoun Bayo and Leigh Griffiths also remain as forward options at the club.
Sharp – who is under contract at Bramall Lane until 2021 – has seen his game time limited this season following United’s promotion to the Premier League. There is little point in the 33-year-old leaving for a similar experience north of the border.
Chris Wilder says he doesn’t want Sharp to leave in January. Yet he wouldn’t stand in the skipper’s way if he decides he wants a new challenge.
MORE UNITED STORIES
How much would Billy Sharp cost Celtic?
The report says that the other attacker the Bhoys are targeting is Slovan Bratislava star Andraz Sporar. It’s thought that Sporar would cost around £5m.
The Sun then moves this forward further, claiming that the Slovenia international and Sharp are being targeted in a £6.5m double swoop.
The logical conclusion is therefore that Celtic value the Blades stalwart at £1.5m.
In truth, this wouldn’t be a bad price for a player who turns 34 next month and is clearly well down the pecking order for a starting place.
Sharp has been brilliant for the Blades since rejoining them four-and-a-half years ago. His goals played a key role in their two promotions under Wilder during that time.
But things move on and the squad needs to evolve if United are to establish themselves a force in the top flight. It’s debatable whether Sharp is cut out for that.