Exclusive: Don Goodman sends one warning to Sheffield United & Old McBurnie over reunion | OneFootball

The Blades have been linked with a move for their former striker, Oli McBurnie

Sheffield United are reportedly weighing up the possibility of bringing striker Oli McBurnie back to Bramall Lane.

That’s according to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon page, where he revealed the Blades’ interest in their former star.

McBurnie left United last season to join La Liga side Las Palmas, but couldn’t prevent the side from being relegated from the Spanish top flight.

We asked Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman for his thoughts on the potential reunion between McBurnie and United.

United warned against going back to former players

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman said: “Sometimes in football they say, ‘never go back’, don't they?

“I'm not sure of too many amazing examples where players have gone back to former clubs, and it's worked out, really.

“But he's in the prime of his career, although he has just been playing in La Liga, and with Las Palmas, and they got relegated. Scored three goals in the league.

“So, he’s never been a real prolific goalscorer, Oli McBurnie, with the exception of his season at Swansea, but offers other attributes.

“So, it's a tough question, really, to answer as to whether or not it would be a good idea for him to go back or not.”

McBurnie will have something to offer the Blades

While re-signing their former striker may not be the most inspiring of moves for United fans, it certainly feels like he could offer something to the side.

He got nine goal involvements in 21 Premier League games in his last season for the Blades, a side that recorded one of the lowest Premier League points tallies ever seen.

Registering those numbers in the circumstances is a commendable feat, only strengthened by the fact he notched 13 goals in his last Championship season for the Yorkshire club.

Going back to a former player may not create as much excitement as a brand-new name, but if McBurnie is available on a cut-price deal on account of Las Palmas’ relegation then it may be a shrewd move.

Finances of the McBurnie deal will be crucial

However, it will likely be the finances of the McBurnie deal that decide whether it’s an attractive move or not.

According to estimates from Capology, McBurnie commanded a wage of £25k per week in his last season with the Blades.

That was upped to €40k a week at Las Palmas, according to Capology estimates, which equates to almost £34k at current rates.

If McBurnie is demanding a wage at the same level as his Las Palmas pay, which he may well do at 28 years old, with this likely to be his last substantial contract, it would put him right amongst the Blades’ top earners, according to estimates from Capology, above the likes of Gus Hamer.

There is no doubting McBurnie’s quality as a player, but United would need to make a judgment call on whether that’s the best use of those funds for a player unlikely to have much resale value moving forward.