Sheffield United submit 7-figure Tom Cannon transfer bid as Stoke City deadline looms | OneFootball

The Blades have opened the bidding for the Leicester striker

Sheffield United have reportedly made a bid of £7 million for Leicester City striker Tom Cannon as they look to seal a permanent move for the Stoke City loanee amid interest from fellow Championship promotion-chasers Sunderland.

Cannon has impressed at Stoke since his summer loan move from the Foxes, yet looks set to make a permanent exit from the King Power Stadium this month as the Blades and the Black Cats circle.

The 22-year-old has netted 11 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions for the Potters this season, and has understandably won admirers throughout the Championship for his clinical striking ability and quick movement in the final third.

According to transfer journalist Alan Nixon, the terms of his Stoke loan deal means Leicester must recall Cannon by midnight on January 14, and it looks as if Sheffield United are now aiming to force the Foxes' hand to sell him to the Bramall Lane outfit, and provide a huge boost to their second-tier promotion credentials.

Sheffield United make £7m Tom Cannon transfer approach

Journalist Pete O'Rourke has provided a new update in the race for Cannon's services today, via X, revealing that Sheffield United have submitted a £7m bid to Leicester as they look to seal a permanent move for the striker.

United's interest was also reported by Alan Nixon earlier, who claimed that the Blades were ready to offer £7m to secure Cannon's services on a permanent deal, while Sunderland are also keen on his signature and could wage a bidding war, with Leicester likely to want to sell him to raise funds for their own transfer priorities.

That bid now looks to be official, but whether the Foxes will accept the first reported offer for Cannon remains to be seen, as they could well recall him from the Potters soon, then wait for other clubs, such as Sunderland, to potentially make an approach.

Cannon would be a huge loss for Stoke and big gain for Sheffield United

The Potters beat off some very strong competition to secure the Leicester City frontman on loan in the last week of the summer window, and he endured a slow start to life in the Potteries but has proven himself as one of the best second-tier marksmen over the last few months, and most of Stoke's positive attacking play flows through him right now.

Their attacking options would be severely depleted if he was to leave the club soon, but while the Potters would be left to rue Leicester's decision, Sheffield United's promotion hopes would be massively boosted if he was to join Chris Wilder's side this month.

United are currently third in the Championship after 26 games, but are in real need of some added firepower in the final third to help them return to the Premier League at the first time of asking in May.

Wilder's men have won just one of their last five games in league and cup, and the Blades boss is currently dealing with a lack of numbers at centre-forward, with Tyrese Campbell and Kieffer Moore both injured.

Regardless of fitness, former Stoke man Campbell is the only United striker that has consistently impressed this season, with six league goals in 14 games, while Moore has five in 20, Rhian Brewster has scored just once in the last 18 months, and youngster Ryan One is unlikely to be trusted to lead the line on a regular basis.

With that said, Sheffield United are sure to make a real push for Cannon's services in the coming hours and days, and this first official bid could be the start of a real tussle for his services between the Blades, Sunderland and his current side Stoke, who could well be resigned to losing their main scorer.