"Should pass on this one" - Pundit warns Sheffield United to stay away from 26-year-old striker | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer discussed Sheffield United's interest in Preston North End striker Emil Riis

Carlton Palmer has urged Sheffield United not to sign Preston North End striker Emil Riis in the January transfer window, citing a lack of goals and no Premier League experience as the reasons why.

The Star have reported that Chris Wilder is keen to bring the Preston striker to Bramall Lane, with the 26-year-old out of contract at Deepdale at the end of the current campaign.

Riis' contract situation means that he would be available for a cut-price fee in January unless he puts pen-to-paper on a new deal, and the Blades are reportedly keen to add more attacking options to their squad this month.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is a big fan of the Preston man, launching a £7million bid to sign the Dane back in 2022 which was rebuffed by the Lilywhites, but Palmer believes that a January deal to sign Riis wouldn't be the right move for the Blades.

Carlton Palmer on Sheffield United's interest in Emil Riis

Palmer, who won 18 caps for England and played for the Blades' bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday, believes that signing Riis in January wouldn't be a good deal for Sheffield United because if they win promotion to the Premier League, he may not be capable of making the step-up.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said: "It’s reported that Sheffield United are interested in signing 26-year-old Emil Riis from Preston North End.

"Paul Heckingbottom has come out, and his stance is quite clear. He wants the player to remain at the football club and negotiations are ongoing over a new contract for the player.

"What worries me about Emil Riis is that he’s a good player at Championship level, but he’s not prolific.

"In the 2021/22 season, he played 44 games and scored 16 goals. Prior to that, his goals don’t get into double figures, so even in the Championship he’s not prolific, but what he does do is lead the line very well, so the way that Sheffield United play, he would fall into their system.

"I think Chris Wilder is looking at this as a smart move as his contract is up at the end of the season, and they can bring him in for a cheap fee and then move him on.

“You’ve got to be careful with the players you bring into the football club because you want to get promoted, but you’ve got to look at the following season if you do get promoted to the Premier League - can they cut it?

"But one thing is for sure, you’ve got to get back to the Premier League and that’s your ultimate aim, but then you can look at the situation at that point.

"With Emil Riis, it’s a difficult one, and I don’t mean this disrespectfully, but how many good players are going to be available in the January transfer window?

"So this might be a good move for Sheffield United, it might be a good move on a short-term basis to get them back to the Premier League.

"Obviously, Preston are keen to get him signed up and, at 26 years old, you’ll want to be playing regular first-team football and that’s not guaranteed at Sheffield United when everybody’s fit.

"I think Sheffield United should pass on this one. I don’t think it’s the right move short-term or long-term for them.”

Riis has scored seven goals and registered two assists in 25 Championship appearances this season, meaning he's already surpassed the tallies of the last two seasons.

As Palmer alluded to, Riis enjoyed an excellent 2021/22 Championship campaign where he scored 16 goals, but since then he's seen his stock decrease, with just five goals and six goals respectively, during the 2022/23 season and 2023/24 campaign.

Injuries have played a role in that and have meant he's missed large chunks of the season, but he's been fully fit this season and has shown glimpses of getting back to his best, making it easy to see why he's attracting transfer interest.

If Riis is able to keep this form up, then he'd be a good signing for the Blades, but it's easy to see why Palmer has reservations given his poor scoring return in recent seasons.

The 26-year-old has an uncertain future at Deepdale, but he's enjoying a successful campaign and has put himself in the shop window for a big move if he doesn't sign a new contract with Preston.