Sheffield United make swoop for ex-Leeds United star - Chris Wilder could face awkward first encounter | OneFootball

Sheffield United are in talks to sign former Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford on a free transfer

Sheffield United have made a move for former Leeds United star Patrick Bamford as Chris Wilder looks to bolster his side's attacking options amidst the Blades' goalscoring woes.

Sheffield United currently sits in 22nd place in the Championship table heading into the international break, a stark contrast from last season, where they narrowly lost out in the play-off final to Sunderland and accumulated 90 points in the league.

To say that the Blades have struggled in front of goal would be an understatement, with their 11 goals scored the lowest in the Championship, even beneath crisis-club and bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday, whilst also being the joint-lowest in the entire EFL, alongside both Port Vale and Cheltenham Town.

With the January window approaching, Wilder will have had one eye set on improving his side's attack, but may not have to wait that long, with Mike McGrath reporting via X that the Blades are in talks with former Leeds striker Bamford over a free transfer.

Further reported by Andy Giddings via X, who understands that talks between the striker and the club are for a short-term deal until January initially, with Wilder seeking a short-term fix in the number nine role.

Having been without a club since his release from Leeds just a few months ago, Bamford could well be on his way to South Yorkshire to link up with Wilder's side, though the two will already be well-acquainted due to an awkward encounter as recently as the end of last season.

Patrick Bamford and Chris Wilder have a hostile history towards one another

In what, on the face of it, looks like an unexpected move, Bamford and Wilder are certainly no strangers to each other, with comments made about one another going all the way back to 2019.

After the Blades' 2-0 home victory over Ipswich Town in April 2019, in which the club secured promotion back to the Premier League, Wilder was, understandably, full of joy, and did not hold back in his comments towards Leeds and Bamford, who would go on to narrowly finish behind them in the table.

Wilder said, "We've had one defeat in 13 and I've got muppets from Leeds talking about the pressure being on us.

"[Patrick] Bamford and [Adam] Forshaw and a couple of others saying 'it's over to you' and this, that and the other.

"Listen, don't mention anything about bottle and b******s or about us dipping out."

Wilder, 58, also did not hold back over his comments towards Bamford and the Whites over their controversial game at home to Aston Villa, in which Mateusz Klich scored after Jonathan Kodjia went down injured, and then-Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa ordered his side to give a goal back to the Villains.

Wilder said, "Full respect for Marcelo Bielsa today. Not full respect to Patrick Bamford."

Earlier this year, Leeds claimed automatic promotion at Sheffield United's expense, and in celebration with the fans, Bamford led the way for chants about their success, with one of them calling Wilder a 'w*****'.

Wilder responded to the chants, saying, "I'm a big boy, you give it you take it. You give it out locally, you take it locally as I've always done.

"We have our moments, other teams have their moments.

"I had a conversation with Pat yesterday and I've no issue at all with it."

In what would be an unexpected signing to say the least, Bamford, still only 32, can still have a lot to offer the Blades this campaign.

Patrick Bamford would add some much-needed EFL Championship experience and quality to the Sheffield United ranks

Bamford has made over 350 career league appearances for the likes of Leeds, Middlesbrough, MK Dons, Derby County, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Burnley and Nottingham Forest, but it was with Leeds where he found most success, scoring 60 goals and grabbing 25 assists in 205 games for the Whites across all competitions.

His most notable campaign was the 2020/2021 season in the Premier League, where he hit 17 goals and nine assists in 38 top-flight games across that year, finishing on level with former Spurs forward Son Heung-Min.

The once-capped former England international has twice been promoted to the Premier League, both with Leeds, and although the ambition with the Blades this season will be to merely stay in the division, his experience could prove invaluable for Wilder as they look to climb away from danger.

Tom Cannon, Danny Ings, Tyrese Campbell and Louie Barry have all been misfiring in front of goal this season, and with the array of attacking options already at the club, it would appear that one or two may make way to facilitate Bamford's arrival.

With no move completed just yet, Bamford remains a free agent from Leeds following his release this summer, and having struggled for game time with persistent injuries over the past couple of years, one last hurrah with Sheffield United and former enemy Wilder may prove to be fitting.