Sheffield United set to land vibrant attacking outlet ahead of Burnley and Sunderland | OneFootball

Sheffield United set to land vibrant attacking outlet ahead of Burnley and Sunderland | OneFootball

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Football League World

·21 June 2024

Sheffield United set to land vibrant attacking outlet ahead of Burnley and Sunderland

Article image:Sheffield United set to land vibrant attacking outlet ahead of Burnley and Sunderland

The Canadian looks set to join the Blades after he returns from international duty this summer

Highlights

  • Liam Millar, a Canadian international, will join Sheffield United after the Copa America following a great loan spell at Preston North End.
  • Millar's successful season at Preston saw him score five goals and provide five assists, making him a valuable addition to the Blades' squad.
  • Despite interest from other clubs, including Burnley and Sunderland, Millar's desire to play a specific position seemingly led him to choose Sheffield United for the next step in his career.

Sheffield United are said to have agreed a deal to bring Canadian international Liam Millar to the club this summer, according to BBC Sheffield journalist Adam Oxley.


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The 24-year-old impressed for Preston North End on loan from Swiss side FC Basel last season, and is rumoured to be joining the Blades after his participation in this summer’s Copa America.

A number of Football League clubs have been linked with a move to bring the forward back to England this summer, with Burnley and Sunderland among those to have been mooted last month.

Millar currently has one year left on his deal with the Swiss Pro League outfit, with his current side looking to cash in on the former Liverpool man while they still can.

Liam Millar set for Sheffield United switch after successful Preston North End spell

Having come up through the ranks at Anfield, Millar enjoyed a number of loan spells away from Merseyside in his youth, with two stints at Scottish side Kilmarnock as well as six months with Charlton Athletic.

FC Basel pounced for the starlet in the summer of 2021, as they splashed out £1.3 million to bring the Canadian to the club, as he went on to play over 60 times on his European sojourn.

The wide man excelled upon his return to England last season, with Ryan Lowe getting the best out of his loan star from the second he stepped foot in Deepdale, as he wasted no time in showing the Lilywhites faithful what he can do.

Having already set up Duane Holmes in the first minute on his debut against Plymouth Argyle, it took Millar just 25 minutes of football for the Lancashire side to net his first goal for the club, as he weaved past a defender before slotting home.

Four more goals would follow across the rest of the campaign, as well as five assists, as he hit double figures for goal contributions across the season as PNE fell just short in their Championship playoff push.

Preston North End fail exploring other options after Liam Millar pursuit ends

Preston chairman Peter Ridsdale has revealed that a difference in vision of where they saw Millar’s future has held the Lilywhites back in their pursuit of the Canadian, which opened the door for the Blades to pounce.

Speaking to the Lancashire Post, Ridsdale said: “We are not really far down the line with Liam anyway.

“Liam has been very honest with us, saying he loves the club and will come back tomorrow, but wants to play left wing. And we have said we love him and want him back tomorrow, but we want him to play left wing-back - so there is not a meeting of the minds, necessarily.

Article image:Sheffield United set to land vibrant attacking outlet ahead of Burnley and Sunderland

“If he returned from holiday and said he wanted to come back, then there might be a deal to be done. But, he is not currently number one on the list we’ve got.

“To be fair to Liam, he has been very honest with us. The issue is that he aspires to play in a position we don’t naturally start with, most weeks.”

Millar will become part of the Blades rebuilding mission after relegation from the Premier League last season, with a number of stalwarts leaving the club over the summer, including the likes of Oliver Norwood, Chris Basham and George Baldock.

Chris Wilder has the task of putting together a squad ready to challenge for promotion once again this season, and Millar looks to be the first piece of the puzzle this summer.

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