What Chris Wilder has said about Sheffield United moving for Barnsley star Reyes Cleary | OneFootball

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has spoken out on reports linking the club with Barnsley winger Reyes Cleary.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has discussed the club's late-window interest in exciting Barnsley winger Reyes Clearly ahead of a potential move across South Yorkshire.

After a nightmare start to the season under Ruben Selles, Sheffield United have pulled away from the relegation zone in recent months since Wilder returned for a third spell in charge in September.

As they continue to climb the table, the Blades currently sit 17th in the Championship, nine points from the play-off places, and Wilder has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window as his side look to mount a late promotion push in the second half of the season.

United have made just one new signing so far this month, with defender Ki-Jana Hoever joining on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they are expected to do further business before Monday's 7pm deadline, and it seems Cleary is one player on their radar.

Cleary has scored five goals and provided 10 assists in 28 appearances for Barnsley this season since his summer move from West Bromwich Albion, and according to The Star, he is one of the names on the Blades' long list of transfer targets as they explore potential reinforcements in the final stages of the window.

However, United are not the only Championship club keen on Cleary, with Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers also said to be among his suitors, but the latter's bid of £1.5 million plus extras is thought to fall significantly short of the 21-year-old's £5 million valuation.

Chris Wilder drops Sheffield United transfer hint amid Reyes Cleary, Barnsley talk

When quizzed on the speculation linking Cleary with a move to Bramall Lane, Wilder did not deny that the Barnsley man is a player Sheffield United admire, but he stopped short of confirming whether the club would be making a formal bid before the end of the window.

"Yeah, we know about him obviously with him being a local boy," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"When you see these boys that are playing at the moment, they are the type of boys that we are interested in, young players.

"So yeah, he's one that we've had a look at internally as well, but we wouldn't be doing our job if we weren't.

"Everybody in the Championship is doing the same as well, so I understand that.

"Medium and long-term is really important to me as well.

"Yet again, I'm going to go on about the outstanding work in our academy, with four players on the pitch on Saturday.

"I think there was a picture of when Brooksy (Andre Brooks) scored, Femi (Seriki) is chasing him and Sydie (Peck) is chasing him, and they're the first in the picture.

"It's just outstanding.

"We have to give a lot of credit to the academy and what they're doing, and the coaching pathway into the first team and how we coach them as well.

"I've said all along, I'm a massive fan of our academy, and, from a local point of view, the boys in the first team that are wearing the shirt, but integrating with young players at other clubs that might want to make the step up, just as much as players that have played for us might want to go on to the next step, which is obviously going into the Premier League."

Barnsley will have big Sheffield United, Reyes Cleary fear as transfer deadline looms

Cleary has been one of the standout players in League One this season for Barnsley, so it is little surprise that he is attracting Championship interest this month.

Blackburn have been the club most strongly linked with Cleary so far, but with a substantial gap between Rovers' current bid and the Tykes' valuation, it is difficult to see the Lancashire outfit striking a deal for the winger as things stand.

However, with Wilder having confirmed Sheffield United's interest in Cleary, the Blades certainly possess the financial resources to test Barnsley's resolve, meaning it could be a nervous few days ahead for the Reds as they look to keep hold of their prized asset.