Sheffield United are closing in on the loan signing of Oliver Burke from West Bromwich Albion, reports Sky Sports.
Callum Robinson is having a medical at the Hawthorns ahead of a move in the opposite direction. Robinson will sign permanently for West Brom having impressed on loan with them in the second half of last season.
It means the 25-year-old will leave the Blades just a year after joining them from Preston North End.
Burke, meanwhile, is set for his third loan spell away from the Baggies since arriving at the club from RB Leipzig in a £15m deal back in 2017.
The Scotland international has spent the past 18 months away with Celtic and then Alaves.
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Why Burke move will end Sheffield United hopes of Brewster loan
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Burke’s arrival will make him United’s fourth new signing this week. It will also take their overall total during this transfer window to six.
One of those who recently made the switch to Bramall Lane is Ethan Ampadu, who is on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
With Burke joining on a temporary basis too, it will mean the Blades have filled their loan quota. Premier League rules stipulate that sides cannot sign more than two loanees from other English clubs.
There was a point last term where United had four loan players in their squad. Mo Besic and Dean Henderson were signed from Everton and Manchester United respectively.
Yet the South Yorkshire side found a way round it by landing Panos Retsos and Richairo Zivkovic from foreign teams in January. Both players were also signed with the option of making the move permanent – which is another way to circumnavigate the loan rules.
What the signing of Burke does mean, though, is there would then be no chance of securing Rhian Brewster on a similar deal.
The Blades have been linked with the Liverpool striker, with a loan move initially sounding likely. That would no longer be possible if Burke signs – but all would not be lost.
Recent reports suggest the Reds could be open to selling Brewster permanently. They would want around £20m for the 20-year-old and a buy-back clause included in the terms.
