Mikey Johnston to Sheffield United? West Brom transfer truth emerges | OneFootball

The Irishman has been the subject of late Deadline Day speculation

It has been claimed that reports linking West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston with a Deadline Day switch to Sheffield United are wide of the mark.

That is according to Danny Hall of the Sheffield Star, with there now less than two hours until the initial deadline of 7PM strikes, by which the vast majority of deals for clubs in the Championship must be completed unless deal sheets are submitted.

The Blades have had a rather intriguing first transfer window back under the management of Chris Wilder, as they initially fended off interest from promotion-chasing Ipswich Town to secure the services of Patrick Bamford on a long-term basis, as well as confirming the loan additions of Ki-Jana Hoever and Leo Hjelde from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland respectively.

However, the South Yorkshire outfit have been heavily linked with several other targets as the deadline looms large, with Wilder hoping that his side can eventually put a consistent run of form together and resurrect their disastrous start to the season and summer transfer window under Ruben Selles by gatecrashing the play-off picture in the campaign's final weeks.

United's wing department has certainly generated plenty of intrigue throughout the window, too. Chiedoze Ogbene is set to remain in S2 for the duration of the season despite recent talk surrounding his loan agreement with Ipswich after an injury-hit period, whilst Andre Brooks had been heavily linked with a proposed move to Belgian Pro League side, Club Brugge.

It has been reported that the Blades are keen admirers of Johnston, who has endured mixed fortunes with West Brom ever since making an initial loan move - during which he flourished - permanent from Scottish Premiership giants, Celtic.

However, such admiration isn't enough to warrant a concrete transfer move from the Steel City side for the experienced playmaker in the final hours of the current window.

Transfer truth emerges amid Sheffield United, West Brom, Mikey Johnston saga

This is not the first time this campaign where Johnston has been involved in a transfer saga, albeit the 26-year-old is poised to remain at The Hawthorns for the remainder of the campaign at the very least.

The 26-year-old was set to move to Brazil in the summer before a reported £5m switch to Flamengo ground to a halt, in what was Ryan Mason's only full transfer window in charge of the Baggies ahead of his dismissal on January 6th.

Under the former Albion head coach and the newly-appointed Eric Ramsay, Johnston has featured 29 times for the Black Country side in all competitions, scoring twice and providing a league-high tally of nine assists thus far, despite the fact the Baggies are just three points ahead of the relegation zone.

It was claimed at 4:26PM by WestBromXtra via X that a bid from the Blades for the 19-time international was rejected, although the Sheffield Star has since quashed those rumours, although it has been confirmed that Wilder is still actively trying to sign a winger in what little time remains to do business.

Johnston currently has just under two-and-a-half years left on his contract in B71.

Sheffield United have been frustrated in their aim of adding further quality in wide areas

Although the truth has emerged amid the initial rumours of a move for Johnston's services from United, it is clear that they have been frustrated in their aims of adding further quality and depth in wide areas.

Indeed, on Sunday, it was reported by Alan Nixon that local rivals, Barnsley, had placed an £8m figure on the services of West Brom academy product, Reyes Cleary, which has been enough to deter interest from the Blades and Blackburn Rovers.

However, United are closing in on two ambitious moves for Kalvin Phillips and Joe Rothwell, whilst Football League World exclusively revealed that the club are eyeing a loan swoop for experienced Burnley centre-back, Joe Worrall.