Despite a rumour that surfaced over the weekend suggesting that England youth international Daniel Jebbison is headed for the Bramall Lane exit door, Chris Wilder has reiterated that Jebbison wants to stay at Sheffield United over the summer contract expiration. Jebbison, 20, has missed games so far this season due to a mix of injuries and illness.
Prior to the current international break, United had thought that he would be closer to selection. However, that timeline has since been changed, with the expectation that he will be again involved with his teammates in time for their upcoming home game against Fulham on March 30. Since Jebbison’s contract expires this summer and United does not have the option to extend it, new conditions will need to be negotiated if his time at Bramall Lane is to continue.
After speaking with Jebbison and his protective family, Wilder returned to United in December and told the media that Unitedites would see the striker in a Blades shirt soon and that he was confident a new deal would be arranged. Although United officials had first accepted the loss of the Canadian-born forward in the summer, there seemed to be hope at the end of the tunnel.
In the two months that have passed, neither of those things have occurred. Journalist Alan Nixon revealed over the weekend that Jebbison is one of three strikers at United who are expected to leave in the summer, along with Cameron Archer and Oli McBurnie, who will automatically return to his childhood team Aston Villa should the Blades be relegated back to the Championship this season.
In an attempt to retain the Scottish international at Bramall Lane, United had begun contract negotiations with McBurnie earlier in the season. However, Wilder disclosed last week that all talks had been put on hold while the Blades concentrated entirely on their attempt to survive. However, as Jebbison is a younger player, that does not apply to him, and Wilder is optimistic that a deal can be done.
Wilder remarked, “He’s one of the younger ones.” “That was put on hold due to his injury, but there have been incredibly encouraging conversations between me, his family, his representative, and Steve [Bettis, CEO of United], and I’ve been involved in that as well. The youngster has never indicated to me that he wants to stop, and his family hasn’t expressed a desire for him to go away, so I know he wants to stop. And if we can sign another of our bright young people, we’ll be overjoyed.”
Ligue 1 club Nantes has the option to make Benie Traore’s loan move to France permanent in the summer, leaving Rhian Brewster and Will Osula as United’s only contracted senior forwards for the upcoming season. McBurnie, Jebbison, and Archer’s futures are all but certain, and Ben Brereton Diaz is expected to return to Villareal following his loan spell. Prior to the trip to Bournemouth last weekend, Wilder stated, “Hopefully, Jebbo will be ready in two or three weeks.” “So that will encompass the international break and he’ll be ready to be back in the group as well.”
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