Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit urges Sheffield United to beat Birmingham City, Sunderland in Kwame Poku race | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie discussed Sheffield United's Kwame Poku transfer interest exclusively with Football League World.

Kwame Poku has emerged as the hottest property throughout the English Football League ahead of this summer's upcoming transfer window following his exit from League One side Peterborough United.

The 23-year-old chose to let his contract at London Road run down to leave on a free after three impressive seasons with Posh, which, according to director of football Barry Fry, has prompted interest from up to 26 different clubs.

Birmingham City, who achieved a record-breaking points haul in their promotion from League One last season, have been long-term admirers of the winger's sought-after signature, while the likes of Sunderland, Celtic and Rangers are also among those linked with a move this summer.

It has also emerged, however, that Sheffield United are interested in Poku in the wake of their Championship play-off final defeat to Sunderland last weekend. The Blades are reportedly keen to land Poku's services in a bid to replace loanee Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who has returned to parent club Crystal Palace, and launch a fresh promotion bid in the 2025/26 campaign after coming agonisingly close to an instant return to the promised land.

Poku has long been tipped to complete a move to the Championship after lighting up League One over each of the previous three seasons with Peterborough. The talented wide-man earned plaudits last time out for recording 12 goals and eight assists from just 27 appearances in a season which was heavily disrupted by injury as Peterborough slumped to a disappointing 18th-placed finish after making it to the play-offs in 23/24.

It's little surprise that United are interested in a move, although they will face significant and widespread competition to get a deal over the line.

Chris Wilder, of course, has previously looked to London Road to bolster his squad and signed Harrison Burrows, a former teammate of Poku's, just last summer.

Lee Hendrie urges Sheffield United to beat Birmingham City, Sunderland to Kwame Poku transfer

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has urged Sheffield United to complete a deal for Poku.

In Hendrie's view, Poku would represent a "fantastic signing" for the South Yorkshire outfit ahead of a fresh promotion pursuit next time out, although he recognises the high volume of competition they will have to overcome in order to make the move happen.

"Kwame Poku, he's been linked with a hell of a lot of clubs for obvious reasons," Hendrie told FLW.

"It's no surprise that he's been linked with a move to Sheffield United, you look at the players they've had. The likes of [Jesurun] Rak-Sakyi, they brought him in on loan, when you look at the wide players they've used, it's no surprise he's being linked.

"I think that would be a fantastic signing, I really do. He's got bags of potential, I really like what he brings and I think he would be a really, really good signing for Sheffield United pushing for promotion next time around."

Kwame Poku would be an upgrade on Jesurun Rak-Sakyi at Sheffield United

Sheffield United are in the market for another right-sided winger following Rak-Sakyi's return to Crystal Palace, which means this pursuit makes plenty of sense.

Encouragingly, though, it is likely that Poku, despite having only played one season in the Championship during a forgettable debut campaign with Posh in 21/22, would represent a fairly significant upgrade on Rak-Sakyi.

The Eagles prospect spent a steady season on loan in the Steel City, scoring seven times and providing two assists. But he failed to consistently nail down his place in Wilder's starting side and was not always consistent either.

There is a school of thought that Poku is ready to establish himself as a top-bracket Championship winger and translate his quality and output rather seamlessly to the level above. He would not only fill the void left by Rak-Sakyi, but indeed, he would provide an upgrade and that's exactly why the Blades must be doing everything in their power to force their way to the front of the queue and win the race for Poku.