Sheffield United backed over divisive Norwich City transfer - it was "too good to turn down" | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has given his reaction to the Blades selling winger Andre Brooks to Norwich City.

It is an important summer for Sheffield United after an underwhelming season in the Championship.

Chris Wilder guided Sheffield United away from relegation danger after returning to Bramall Lane for a third spell in charge in September, but their rise up the table stalled during an inconsistent second half of the season, and they eventually finished in a disappointing 13th place.

As a summer of change at the club begins, the Blades announced earlier this month that Wilder's long-term assistant Alan Knill has left the club as part of a backroom team reshuffle, with former Manchester United defender Phil Jones joining the coaching staff after a brief spell at Blackburn Rovers.

Ben Mee, Jairo Riedewald, Tom Davies and Danny Ings have been released by United at the end of their contracts, and in a surprise development, winger Andre Brooks was sold to fellow Championship side Norwich City last week for an initial fee of £8 million, which could rise to as much as £10 million if add-ons are met.

After joining the Blades at the age of eight, Brooks progressed through the academy before establishing himself at senior level in recent years, and he scored six goals and provided three assists in 39 appearances last season.

However, Brooks' long spell with United has now come to a conclusion after his big-money move to Carrow Road, and the 22-year-old revealed that the Canaries' "ambitions" helped convince him to leave his boyhood club and make the switch to East Anglia.

Sheffield United reaction given to shock Andre Brooks, Norwich City developments

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When asked for his thoughts on Brooks' move to Norwich, FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy, from the YouTube channel Blades Ramble, insisted that, while some Blades supporters believe his sale shows a lack of ambition from the club, it was the right decision to cash in on him for such a sizeable fee.

"This has certainly caused some commotion within the Sheffield United fanbase," Jimmy told FLW.

"It seems to have split the fans. Some are really disappointed to see him go because we know that he's a strong prospect at the level.

"It was his best season for us last year, and, at times, he was unplayable, but he's been very inconsistent.

"At 22 years old, he's got a lot of time to further develop, and to sell to a rival, no matter how much the fee, some people are saying it's unambitious.

"Others are saying it's up to £10 million and we can't turn that money down now we're no longer a parachute side.

"Ultimately, it's a case of do you think he's worth £8 million-£10 million?

"I think it's too good to turn down at this stage.

"I'm sad to see him go because I think he's a very good player at Championship level, but we can't turn down that sort of money at the moment."

Andre Brooks sale raises further Chris Wilder, Sheffield United questions

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From a financial perspective, there is no doubt that selling Brooks for a fee that could rise to eight figures is a good deal for Sheffield United, particularly as he has never delivered consistently at Championship level.

However, Wilder regularly spoke of his pride at seeing academy products like Brooks, as well as Femi Seriki, Sydie Peck and Ollie Arblaster, starring in the first team last season, so he will no doubt be disappointed to lose him to a potential promotion rival in Norwich.

With many Blades supporters already questioning how Wilder truly feels about the departure of his right-hand man Knill, they will be keen to know whether the 58-year-old gave the green light to the sale of Brooks or whether it was another decision that was taken out of his hands.