Forget Kyle Walker: Sheffield United must seal Everton agreement | OneFootball

Sheffield United should look to Everton to sign a Kyle Walker alternative

Sheffield United will be better served by steering clear of a fresh transfer agreement for former Blades star Kyle Walker this summer.

The eventual Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and England right-back started his career at Bramall Lane before joining Spurs in 2009, although he remained on loan in South Yorkshire for the first half of the 2009/10 season.

Walker joined Burnley last summer, but the 36-year-old failed to help the Clarets stay in the Premier League, having made 36 top-flight appearances for the Lancashire side.

The former England international has expressed his desire to return to Sheffield United, but there are a variety of factors boss Chris Wilder must consider in the summer transfer window.

Sheffield United eye Everton man as Kyle Walker stumbling block emerges - Toffees defender is better option regardless

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Walker is an all-time Premier League great, having clinched six top-flight titles with Man City, where he also won the Champions League, two FA Cups, and four EFL Cups.

However, having turned 36 last month, the ex-Tottenham man is no longer the world-class player he once was, and he has certainly lost some of his previously blistering pace.

Meanwhile, as reported by the Sheffield Star, United have eyed a move for Everton right-back Nathan Patterson, as bringing Walker back to Bramall Lane is not viable unless he accepts a big wage cut.

According to Capology estimates, the veteran was earning an eye-watering wage of £75,000 a week while playing for Burnley in the 2025/26 season.

Regardless of the finances of any deal, though, the Blades should favour a move for Patterson over that of Walker, despite the latter's Bramall Lane past.

Walker could be a better short-term option for Wilder's men than Patterson, but he is nearing retirement age and surely can't have a long-term future in South Yorkshire.

In contrast, the Everton man is still just 24 years old and has a long future ahead of him, as well as some Premier League and Scottish Premiership experience, having formerly represented Rangers.

Dropping to the Championship would be a good idea at this stage in Patterson's career, as he made just seven top-flight appearances for the Toffees in 2025/26.

However, should Wilder steer the Blades to promotion following his summer rebuild, the 24-year-old would be more of an asset for the Bramall Lane club than Walker, as he can still develop into a better player, whereas the former Man City ace is on the decline.

Nathan Patterson could be a strong part of Chris Wilder's summer rebuild

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Sheffield United began the 2025/26 Championship season with aspirations of winning promotion, having reached the play-off final at the end of the 2024/25 term.

However, a turbulent campaign unfolded, as former boss Ruben Selles was sacked following a short and woeful managerial tenure, prompting Wilder's return.

Wilder subsequently failed to establish consistency at Bramall Lane, and the Steel City club ultimately finished 13th in the second tier, 13 points adrift of the play-offs.

The Blades boss, who turns 59 in September, has made no secret of the fact that he is prepared to make big changes to his squad ahead of next season.

Should the South Yorkshire outfit sign Patterson, he would play a key role in their rebuild, having joined from Premier League outfit Everton, but with development on his game still required.