How Chris Wilder has reacted to shock Sheffield United, Harrison Burrows transfer exit talk | OneFootball

The Blades boss has had his say on the rumours linking Harrison Burrows with a move to Trabzonspor

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has affirmed that Harrison Burrows is still part of his plans, despite surprise links with a move to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

The Sheffield Star has reported that the Blades boss would be reluctant to sell the left-back, despite a campaign thus far that has seen him on the fringes of the action since Wilder made his return to the dugout in September.

Burrows started 39 times in his debut campaign at Bramall Lane last term and played a starring role in their play-off run, scoring once and assisting three times across two legs against Bristol City and then having a goal ruled out against Sunderland.

However, this season, the full-back has been secondary to the action due to the rise to prominence of Sam McCallum, who backed up Burrows last year.

That being said, Wilder seems happy with the competition he has in that position and is therefore unenthusiastic about letting one of them depart this month.

Chris Wilder reacts to Harrison Burrows, Trabzonspor links at Sheffield United

Sky Sports reported on Friday night that Sheffield United had rejected an initial offer of £3.5 million from Turkish outfit Trabzonspor for Burrows, with a second offer possibly being readied at £5 million.

Three days later, following the Blades' entertaining 4-3 loss at home to League One side Mansfield Town in the FA Cup, Wilder reacted to this news, stating that Burrows is a key part of what he is trying to build at Bramall Lane.

"I don't want to lose any players, but understanding that if something does come, and everyone thinks it's right from a financial point of view...but I'm trying to build, and Harrison has been a part of that," Wilder told the Sheffield Star.

"At the moment, he's having a battle with Sammy [McCallum]. He won that battle last year, and Sammy's winning it this season. He's got a fight on his hands to push and get into the team, but he's still a young player, and still somebody we want around the place.

"If the time comes where the owners and the chief exec say: 'We really have to consider this,' then I'd like to think that I'd be part of the discussion."

Potential financial issues this summer could lead to a Harrison Burrows deal being sanctioned at Sheffield United

Evidently, Wilder doesn't want to see Burrows depart this month, and with the 24-year-old currently under contract until 2028, there isn't a rush to offload him this month.

However, the Sheffield Star goes on to state that, if the Blades are still in the Championship next season, the end of their Premier League parachute payments could mean that sellable assets need to be cashed in.

With Burrows still a young, developing left-back with plenty of upside in an attacking sense, especially, there's no doubt that he could become a person of interest for buyers come the summer.

And if McCallum continues to nail down that starting spot on the left of Wilder's back five, the 24-year-old could be expendable.

As Wilder said, though, he'd hope to be involved in those conversations if they do come. And he'll also be hoping that, now there's full focus on the league campaign between now and May, his Blades side could continue the climb up the table and potentially land in the play-offs come the end of the campaign.