Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to Swansea City, Oli McBurnie transfer update | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie says that Oli McBurnie's potential move back to Swansea City could benefit both the player and the club.

Swansea City are leading the charge to bring striker Oli McBurnie back to the Championship, with the Scottish forward a free agent following his exit from Spanish outfit Las Palmas.

The Swans ended last season in 11th place in the Championship and are rebuilding ahead of the new campaign, and look to have edged out Hull City in the race to sign the striker.

McBurnie played for the club between 2015 and 2019, and reports from Alan Nixon over the weekend suggest that the Swans are in pole position to secure his signature ahead of the 2025/26 term.

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that it is a homecoming that could be beneficial for both McBurnie and the club.

Homecoming for McBurnie - Lee Hendrie says it could work out for all involved

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie was asked whether he sees the positive side of the move from a Swansea perspective, and he was keen to outline how the move could benefit all involved.

"You look at players going back to a club that they have been around, and the results can differ," said Hendrie. "But I think that this one is a really good move for Swansea. They have really struggled to attract big players in recent years, so this could be beneficial."

"McBurnie knows what the club is about, he scores goals, and he might relish going back to Swansea," added Hendrie.

The striker scored 26 times for the Swans across 62 appearances before he made a move to Sheffield United following their promotion to the Premier League in 2019.

"I really think that this is a move that could work out for both parties here," Hendrie concluded.

McBurnie returns with unfinished business

After spending time out on loan with Newport County, Bristol Rovers and Barnsley, McBurnie made a name for himself in South Wales following Swansea's relegation to the Championship in 2018.

He scored 22 Championship goals for the Swans as they finished 10th, five points away from the play-offs. This prompted Sheffield United to bring the forward in for a whopping £17 million as a result of their promotion to the Premier League.

After spells in the Premier League with the Blades, and a spell last term with Spanish outfit Las Palmas, McBurnie is now a free agent. While Swansea have not had a sniff of the Premier League since their play-off final defeat to Brentford in 2021.

Leaving before Swansea's successive play-off ventures in 2020 and 2021, McBurnie has unfinished business with the club, who were largely responsible for his development as a professional.

After an 11th-place finish under Alan Sheehan last term, supporters are hoping that they can begin to look upwards once again after a period in mid-table. While McBurnie comes back to the club with a lot to prove.