Oli McBurnie remains in a state of contract limbo at Sheffield United, more than a fortnight after his Bramall Lane contract officially expired and eight weeks since the end of the Premier League season. The Blades’ former record signing is now officially a free agent but, a fortnight into pre-season, has yet to discover his next move.
McBurnie returned to United’s Shirecliffe training ground earlier this summer to keep fit amid the uncertainty over his future, which could be complicated further after United brought Kieffer Moore in from Bournemouth yesterday. In an ideal world boss Chris Wilder would have both Moore and McBurnie – who formed a good partnership during their time together at Barnsley – in his squad but a tight budget as things stand, with progress needed on the takeover front to loosen the pursestrings at Bramall Lane, could force him to accept defeat.
Although McBurnie is reportedly eager to stay at Bramall Lane, he can only wait so long for a firm answer because the new Championship season begins in less than a month. Despite only making 21 Premier League appearances, the Scottish international finished as the Blades’ leading scorer with 15 goals in United’s previous league season and another six goals the following season.
McBurnie, signed for £20million after the Blades’ promotion to the Premier League back in 2019, was one of many Blades players whose contracts expired at the end of June. Daniel Jebbison and John Egan subsequently moved on, while Ben Osborn signed for Derby County after United performed a U-turn on their initial decision to trigger his contract extension.
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