Chris Wilder has confirmed Sheffield United are close to signing Gary Madine.
The Cardiff City striker is set to join the Blades on loan having completed his medical with the club.
Madine was at Bramall Lane to watch his new side get knocked out of the FA Cup third round by non-league Barnet.
“Gary has been up, had a medical and I will talk at length about why we are looking to sign him,” Wilder told the Sheffield Star.
Controversy
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The signing of Madine could prove controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, the 28-year-old has twice been found guilty of actual bodily harm and was sent to prison in 2013.
Not only that but Madine is also a former Sheffield Wednesday player, with the forward on the books at Hillsborough between 2011 and 2015.
Therefore the announcement that Madine will be joining United has been met with a mixed response from the fans.
Fans reaction
Brave move from Gary Madine, gets my backing though as would anyone In that red and white shirt 🔴⚪️⚔️ #twitterblades #sufc
— Jonathan Chapman (@Jonochapman) January 6, 2019
Welcome to Sheffield United Gary Madine 🔴⚪🔴⚪
— Reece Fowler (@FowlerReece) January 6, 2019
Text from a mate saying he’s seen stuff linking us with a move for Gary madine?!? Surely just a terrible joke? #twitterblades @DEM_BLADES @bladespod @Blades_analytic
— Dairachel (@Dairachel1) January 3, 2019
Gary Madine pulls on a Blades shirt, Gary Madine will have my backing, simple as that 🤷♂️
— David Huntington (@dhunts0102) January 4, 2019
Trust me we won’t be getting promoted with Gary Madine.
— shane rowley (@srowley88) January 6, 2019
If you think I’m stepping foot inside Bramall Lane if Gary Madine signs, then you’ll be absolutely correct. Nothing wrong with questioning a (potential)signing or constructive criticism, but to say it’s a mistake before he’s even kicked a ball is very narrow minded
— Claire Wright (@Claire_W82) January 4, 2019
Plz plz plz tell Chris wilder. Not to sign Gary Madine. 😡😡
— Paul Paj Broughton.. (@paulbroughton19) January 3, 2019
Gary Madine. A different striker to what we have. Would have beaten them next door with that type of option(+ a few others).Must have guts to want to come. Importantly, CW knows more than any of us about team spirit at #sufc. Happy for old tweets to haunt me.Would mean a success!
— Jamie Fletcher (@FletchRadio) January 6, 2019
I’m not all that fussed about the off field Madine stuff in all honesty it’s what he does on the pitch. I don’t rate him very highly but happy to be proved wrong. Good luck Gary Madine. #sufc
— John Curtis (@Johncurtis1889) January 6, 2019
Good signing?
Madine will join the Blades on loan from Cardiff for the rest of the season, having only made 19 appearances and failing to score since arriving at the Bluebirds from Bolton Wanderers in January.
However, prior to that Madine had been in fine form for Bolton in the Championship in 2017/18, netting 10 times in 28 matches.
Wilder has been searching for a new option upfront during the January transfer window and has now found it. It remains to be seen whether Madine can be a success in the red half of Sheffield.
