Sheffield United star poised for reluctant summer exit? "We’ll have to entertain offers” | OneFootball

FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit has discussed what the future holds for Andre Brooks.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Despite still being in the mix for a late play-off charge, Sheffield United will need to up their consistency levels to stake their claim.

After 32 league games, the Blades sit 15th in the Championship standings on 42 points, six points off Derby County, who currently occupy the final place inside the top six.

But the gap could have been so much closer if it wasn’t for the Blades’ inability to string positive results together.

After claiming the scalp of Ipswich Town towards the end of January, it was followed up by a draw and defeat to Millwall and Middlesbrough respectively, before getting back on the winning trail against Portsmouth last weekend.

The winning streak can hopefully be extended in a fiery Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday, with the Blades desperate to complete a league double and cement Wednesday’s place back in League One.

Much of Sheffield United’s play-off contention has been down to the form of Andre Brooks in recent weeks, who has shined in red and white on the right-hand side of midfield.

The 22-year-old's run of four goals in five games has seen him turn into one of the Championship’s standout performers, undoubtedly putting other clubs on high alert to secure his signature.

Interest will also peak given he is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract next season, with the Blades facing a tough decision to make as their financial resources will be limited due to their parachute payments running out from the Premier League.

With this in mind, FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit has commented on what Brooks’ future looks like at Bramall Lane and whether he’ll be a part of the club over the long-term.

Sheffield United fear Andre Brooks could depart Bramall Lane next season

Speaking to Football League World, Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy (AKA Blades Ramble) has admitted Andre Brooks could leave Bramall Lane next season if the club can’t gain promotion back to the big time through the play-offs, with the club having to listen to offers for a number of their stars due to incoming financial cut backs.

Jimmy told FLW: “My gut feeling about Andre Brooks is that he could leave.

“At that time, he’ll have 12 months left on his contract, we will no longer have parachute payments, and I think everybody in that situation, which includes Brooks, Seriki, Gus Hamer and Tyrese Campbell, we’ll have to entertain offers for any of those players. It doesn’t mean we’ll lose them, obviously, as we’re in contract talks with all of those.

“But Andre Brooks has been on fire, certainly in the last six or seven games, he’s been one of the best players in the division and certainly the best form we’ve seen from him in a Sheffield United shirt.

“There was interest in him during January, and I’m sure there’ll be a lot of interest in the summer, but my gut feeling is that he could leave if he doesn’t sign a new deal.”

Sheffield United may have to accept Andre Brooks fate this summer

Andre Brooks is coming into his own in a Sheffield United shirt and proving himself to be such a trusted and reliable asset, with the continuation of his form key to the Blades making a late surge into the top six.

But with interest unfolding in January from the likes of Belgian giants Club Brugge, it feels inevitable that someone will swoop in and prize him away from the Steel City in the summer given his contract situation.

Because of this, Sheffield United will have to do all they can to gatecrash the play-off places and seal a return to the Premier League, with this potentially the only way he will extend his current deal as he will have his sights set on playing at the top level.

If their season meanders out, you have to feel Brooks will look to move on to bigger and better things, and it might also suit the club given they will need to bolster the coffers in order to build a team that can fight towards the right end of the table next season.

For now, you have to feel Brooks will depart the club if there is no guarantee of top-flight football, and it will be a particularly bitter pill to swallow if he keeps up his form in front of goal between now and May.