Sheffield United set for transfer blow in pursuit of in-demand Sunderland player | OneFootball

The Blades have been linked with Dan Neil throughout January, but they are not his preferred option.

Sheffield United look set to lose out in the transfer battle for Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil, as he nears his Stadium of Light exit.

The 24-year-old has spent his entire career with the Black Cats, but following their promotion to the Premier League in May, he has struggled for game time, and he is now looking for a fresh opportunity away from Wearside.

As per a report from Mike McGrath on Friday evening, the South Shields-born ace has not travelled with the rest of the Sunderland squad to East London as his side prepare for their visit to West Ham United. However, his destination looks unlikely to be Bramall Lane.

Neil, who has made 201 appearances for the Black Cats in his career, has been the subject of significant interest from a number of clubs over the course of the last few weeks, and now his new home looks to have been chosen.

Rangers close in on signing Dan Neil amid Sheffield United interest

Sheffield United have had an extremely difficult campaign so far, and with injury and suspension issues in midfield, Chris Wilder has been seeking an experienced player to take on responsibility in the middle of the park.

However, according to a fresh report from The Star, Rangers have taken the lead in the race to sign Neil, as former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl looks to bolster his side as they chase down Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Nevertheless, there is an opportunity for Sheffield United to go in for another of their targets if the 24-year-old does make his way to Ibrox, with Joe Rothwell also on the Blades' radar.

The former Leeds United loanee has struggled for consistent minutes with Rangers, and if Neil does link up with Rohl, then Rothwell may be free to move to the Championship.

Rothwell has plenty of experience in the English second tier with the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Leeds, so that could be Wilder's next port of call with the transfer deadline on February 2 fast approaching.

Dan Neil would have been a coup for Sheffield United - they may need to move on now

Neil's last game in the second tier came against Sheffield United, as Tommy Watson's last-minute winner against the Blades at Wembley secured Sunderland promotion to the Premier League.

He's played 131 times in the Championship, and this experience would have been excellent for Wilder's side, as they look to drag themselves back up the league table and away from any threat of relegation.

However, the possibility of playing in Europe with Rangers, as well as the opportunity of fighting for league titles, looks to be too much to miss out on - especially at a time where he's been watching on as his boyhood club have been having top flight success.

Neil would have brought plenty of calm to the middle of the park at Bramall Lane, but their lowly league position has seemingly allowed others to overtake them in the race for the midfielder - they've still got the likes of Jairo Riedewald, Ollie Arblaster and Sydie Peck in the middle of the park, but Wilder may need more if his side is going to rise up the table.