Exclusive: Stoke Plot Sensational Return for Tom Cannon as Sheffield United Mull January Exit

Stoke City are mulling over a bid for Tom Cannon if Sheffield United decide to cut their losses on the striker in January, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The former Leicester City marksman scored 11 goals in 25 appearances for The Potters last term, having moved to Staffordshire on a supposedly season long loan.

But that was cut short 10 months ago when The Blades negotiated a £10m deal for the 22-year-old as they looked to bolster their push for Premier League football. 

With Chris Wilder’s side suffering an agonising defeat in the Championship play-off final and Cannon looking a shadow of the centre-forward who became such a big hit at the bet365 Stadium, sources have told SportsBoom that United could consider allowing him to leave if a suitable offer arrives.

Although they are now under the command of Mark Robins following Narcis Pelach’s departure, Stoke’s sporting director Jon Walters remains a huge admirer of Cannon having been responsible for orchestrating his signing from The Foxes last summer.

With The Potters now challenging for a top-flight place themselves, and United fighting for survival at the other end of the table, Walters is expected to try and convince Robins to bring the Republic of Ireland international back to the club if Wilder sanctions his departure.

Additionally, Sheff Utd are reportedly preparing to go head-to-head with Hull City in the January window for the signature of highly rated Albania winger Arber Hoxha.

NIGHTMARE

Cannon has found the back of the net only once in his first 28 appearances for the Blades, who sacked Wilder following their defeat at Wembley only to rehire him again for a third time when Ruben Selles endured a nightmare start to the campaign.

More worrying for United, however, is the fact Cannon appears ill-suited to their tactical template with not even Wilder’s return sparking him back into life.

With the Blades desperate for reinforcements in order to drag themselves clear of the relegation zone but lacking significant funds as the consortium which owns them looks set to break up, they are considering offloading the likes of Cannon and several of their loanees to help Wilder perform a much-needed makeover of his ailing squad.

Cannon started his career with Everton before heading to Leicester following a brief spell with Preston North End.

He helped them climb out of the second tier before joining The Potters and that experience, given their present position, makes him an attractive proposition for Walters.