Exclusive: Former Leeds United Striker Patrick Bamford Linked With Shock Move to Yorkshire Rivals Sheffield United

Former Leeds striker Patrick Bamford could be offered the chance to resurrect his career at Sheffield United, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Despite playing 18 times for Daniel Farke’s side last season, helping them win promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, Bamford was ruthlessly declared surplus to requirements by the German boss ahead of the new season.

Still without a club and available on a free transfer, the former Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough attacker’s experience would make him an excellent addition to any ambitious second tier club. 

And that has not been lost on new Blades boss Chris Wilder, who views Bamford as someone capable of strengthening a squad which is in desperate need of a boost following its miserable start to the campaign under his predecessor Ruben Selles.

Danny Ings, now aged 33, is among the players Wilder inherited from the Spaniard after taking charge of United for a third time last week. 

But after analysing performances under Selles, who lost all of his six matches at the helm before being sacked, the 57-year-old believes the Blades would benefit from an immediate shot-in-the-arm. 

Even though the two men have endured a spiky relationship in the past - with Wilder deliberately winding-up their Yorkshire rivals after pipping Bamford and his team mates to a top-flight place six years ago - neither would have any problems working together in the future. 

MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL

Indeed, given the situation they both find themselves in, it could prove mutually beneficial if a player who has claimed 75 goals in the competition arrives at Bramall Lane.

After controversially sacking Wilder over the summer, after they narrowly failed to regain PL status, United owners COH Sports handed Selles the task of marshalling them this term. 

His appointment turned out to be a disastrous decision, with the Blades finding the back only once under the one-time Reading and Hull City chief’s tutelage.

Having joined Leeds from Middlesbrough in 2018, Bamford’s family is now settled in Yorkshire meaning United are likely to prove an attractive destination. 

Even more so given Wilder’s presence, after he led them from League One to a ninth-placed PL finish during his first stint at the helm.