Exclusive: Brentford Eye Sheff Utd’s Oliver Arblaster Despite Injury Woes, January Bid Expected

Brentford have added Oliver Arblaster’s name to their watchlist following Sheffield United’s disappointing start to the new season, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

The 21-year-old, who is closing in on a return to action after spending nearly 12 months on the sidelines, boasts a number of admirers at the Gtech Community Stadium following a series of commanding performances last term, as well as in the Premier League the season prior. 

Although Arblaster has not made a competitive appearance since November after suffering a cruciate ligament tear following a Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday, coaching staff at Bramall Lane are confident he will make a full recovery.

Providing he does, and United are still struggling for form in the Championship, officials in South Yorkshire expect the Londoners to submit a bid during the January transfer window. 

Unless Ruben Selles’ side are in contention for a top six finish, and with owners COH Sports already demonstrating they are prepared to sell some of their club’s biggest names, Keith Andrews’ employers believe even a hostile approach would stand a good chance of success as the US-based consortium looks to keep a tight reign on Bramall Lane’s finances.

Blades expect Bid 

Brentford’s interest in Arblaster, who despite his lack of experience captained United under Selles’ predecessor Chris Wilder, stems from the insider knowledge Andrews and their coaching staff boast in South Yorkshire.

Two senior analysts have been lured away from South Yorkshire to the capital since the beginning of the previous campaign while Andrews, a former Republic of Ireland international, was briefly a member of Wilder’s backroom team.

He was unveiled as Thomas Frank’s successor in June, following the Dane’s move to Tottenham Hotspur. 

Arblaster, who has been capped by England at both under-18 and under-20 level, is regarded as the latest senior international in waiting to emerge from United’s renowned youth academy, which has spawned the likes of Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nick Montgomery since being established.