Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp has been urged to join Celtic by former striker Darren Bent.
Sharp has been linked with an exit from Bramall Lane during the January transfer window. The Hoops are said to be one of the sides interested in signing him, along with Championship trio Derby County, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
Blades manager Chris Wilder says that if Sharp wants to leave then he’ll let him. Wilder added this was special treatment for the 33-year-old because of the service he has given the club.
As yet, Sharp himself has not commented on the matter. However, it was reported that the forward rejected a move to Celtic Park.
But Bent thinks a switch to the Scottish champions would be a good one for all parties.
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“I think maybe the Premier League has been a step too far for him,” the 35-year-old told Football Insider. “He hasn’t looked nowhere near being the lethal striker in the Premier League,that we know he has been in League One.
“For him to go and play for a big club like Celtic, go and win trophies up there, get in the Champions League, I’m all for that.
“I think it’s a move he should seriously consider.”
Does Darren Bent have a point?
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Of the attacking options available to Wilder, Sharp has arguably been one of the least influential so far this season. Lys Mousset is the top scorer with five goals, while Oli McBurnie is close beyond him on four.
Both are a decade younger than Sharp and appear to represent the future of the club.
David McGoldrick may not have scored in 19 Premier League games to date – unlike Sharp, who netted in the opening day 1-1 draw at Bournemouth – but is used far more often by Wilder.
That is probably because of McGoldrick’s excellent linkup play, with the 32-year-old often dropping deep to provide the connection between midfield and attack.
Sharp does not play this role and is much more of a poacher.
Callum Robinson is probably in a similar position to the skipper on the pecking order. Yet like Mousset and McBurnie, he too is a young new signing who should be given more time to develop.
Sharp isn’t going to progress further, so maybe it is time for United and their club legend to part ways.
