Emil Riis, a striker for Preston North End, has been urged by Carlton Palmer to stay away from Sheffield United during the January transfer window due to his lack of goals and Premier League experience.
According to The Star, Chris Wilder is eager to sign the Preston striker, whose contract with Deepdale expires at the end of the current season, to Bramall Lane.
Riis’ contract situation means that he would be available for a cut-price fee in January unless he puts pen-to-paper on a new deal, and the Blades are reportedly keen to add more attacking options to their squad this month.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is a big fan of the Preston man, launching a £7million bid to sign the Dane back in 2022 which was rebuffed by the Lilywhites, but Palmer believes that a January deal to sign Riis wouldn’t be the right move for the Blades.
Carlton Palmer on Sheffield United’s interest in Emil Riis
Palmer, who played for Sheffield Wednesday, the Blades’ fiercest rival, and earned 18 caps for England, thinks that Sheffield United would be better off not signing Riis in January because he might not be able to step up if they get promoted to the Premier League.
Palmer stated in an exclusive interview with Football League World: “There have been rumours that Sheffield United is interested in Preston North End’s 26-year-old Emil Riis.
Paul Heckingbottom has spoken out, and it’s clear where he stands. Negotiations for a new contract for the player are still going on, and he wants the player to stay with the football team.
Emil Riis is a talented player at the championship level, but his lack of production is what concerns me about him.
“In the 2021/22 season, he played 44 games and scored 16 goals. Prior to that, his goals don’t get into double figures, so even in the Championship he’s not prolific, but what he does do is lead the line very well, so the way that Sheffield United play, he would fall into their system.
“I think Chris Wilder is looking at this as a smart move as his contract is up at the end of the season, and they can bring him in for a cheap fee and then move him on.
“You’ve got to be careful with the players you bring into the football club because you want to get promoted, but you’ve got to look at the following season if you do get promoted to the Premier League – can they cut it?
“But one thing is for sure, you’ve got to get back to the Premier League and that’s your ultimate aim, but then you can look at the situation at that point.
“With Emil Riis, it’s a difficult one, and I don’t mean this disrespectfully, but how many good players are going to be available in the January transfer window?
Therefore, this could be a smart move for Sheffield United to return to the Premier League in the near future.
Preston is obviously eager to sign him, and at 26, you want to be playing regular first-team games, which Sheffield United does not guarantee when everyone is well.
“In my opinion, Sheffield United ought to lose this one. I don’t believe it’s the best course of action for them, either now or in the future.
Emil Riis is enjoying his most fruitful season in a long while
He has missed significant portions of the season due to injuries, but he has been totally healthy this season and has shown signs of returning to his best, so it’s simple to understand why he’s drawing transfer interest.
Riis would be a terrific addition to the Blades if he can maintain this form, but given his dismal scoring performance in prior seasons, Palmer’s concerns are understandable.
Although the 26-year-old’s future at Deepdale is uncertain, he is having a great season and has opened himself up to a major move should he not sign a new deal with Preston.
Leave a Reply