Both Burnley and Newcastle United are interested in signing Chris Basham this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
Basham has been a key player for Sheffield United this season and both clubs are keen to add a reliable defender to their squads.
The 31-year-old has started every Premier League game this season, helping the Blades to their current position of eighth.
With Basham in the side, United have secured a defensive record that is only bettered in the division by Liverpool.
Yet the centre-back has now entered the final year of his current contract at Bramall Lane. Both the Clarets and Newcastle are hoping to capitalise on that.
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Why Basham could be sold to Burnley or Newcastle
(Photo by RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Yorkshire Post reports Basham is in talks about a new deal with the Blades. Those negotiations were put on hold during football’s suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, since its return they have also restarted. Billy Sharp, Ollie Norwood and David McGoldrick have all committed to new contracts recently.
Yet Basham has still not put pen to paper and manager Chris Wilder has warned the club will only offer so much.
“We left the offers out there and we’re in the negotiation phase,” Wilder said.
“I’ve mentioned a lot of times that I have a responsibility to the football club.
“Yes, the players want the best deals for them and that’s understandable. But there is a limit to how far we’ll go.”
Wilder added: “We’re hopeful (the three players will stay) but if players don’t re-sign, then we’ll do the right thing by the football club.”
Doing the “right thing” would be ensuring United receive a decent transfer fee for a player who is about to turn 32-years-old.
Basham arrived at the club as a free agent from Blackpool in 2014 and has been integral in two promotions since. Selling him for a profit would represent a good piece of business.
In an ideal world, Basham signs a new deal and stays. But Wilder and the Blades won’t be sentimental if talks continue to drag on.
