Brentford Lead Race For Sydie Peck As Sheffield United Plot Summer Rebuild

Brentford are preparing to step-up their interest in Sydie Peck, a number of well-placed sources revealed last night, as Sheffield United prepare to sacrifice the midfielder to fund a major summer overhaul.

As SportsBoom exclusively revealed earlier this season, a number of London’s leading clubs have been monitoring the youngster’s progress following his breakthrough at Bramall Lane.

West Ham were among Peck’s admirers, before Nuno Espirito Santo’s appointment in September. But after keeping a watching brief themselves, The Bees are poised to jump to the front of the queue and are hopeful of using their network of contacts in South Yorkshire to broker a quick deal, SportsBoom sources have been told. 

Keith Andrews, now Brentford’s head coach, briefly worked with Blades' boss Chris Wilder before heading to the capital. 

Jack Lester, a senior member of the Irishman’s backroom staff, knows Peck well having helped him progress through United’s youth system after leading Arsenal.

Lester, in particular, was instrumental in the 21-year-old’s development and the pair’s relationship, combined with the former Nottingham Forest and Chesterfield striker’s links to senior members of The Blades' hierarchy, has raised hopes behind the scenes at the Gtech Stadium that an agreement can be reached which benefits the player and both teams.

Bramall Lane Squad Makeover

Although Wilder would prefer not to part company with Peck, who recently made his debut for England under-21s, he knows he must offload several influential performers to raise funds for what is expected to be a huge squad makeover following a disappointing season at Bramall Lane.

Peck, who was born in Enfield and whose family remain based in the south of England, is aware of the opportunities likely to present themselves once the Championship season draws to a close this weekend and, despite reports that Everton and Newcastle could also join the chase, has set his heart on a return to the capital if, as expected, United look to cash in.