Signing Burnley, Sunderland target is double-promotion boost for Sheffield United: View | OneFootball

Liam Millar is set to sign for the Blades to aid their promotion charge and put a dent in Burnley and Sunderland's hopes

Sheffield United are set for a busy summer transfer window as Chris Wilder looks to shape his squad ahead of a return to the Championship following relegation in 2023/24.

The Blades endured a torrid time in the top-flight last season, as they broke the record for most goals conceded in a single Premier League campaign and were relegated in 20th place with just 16 points.

They will be hopeful of a fruitful 2024/25 campaign under former promotion-winning boss Chris Wilder though, and the 56-year-old has already set his stall out ahead of a huge few months, with Chris Basham, George Baldock, Wes Foderingham, Max Lowe and Ollie Norwood all allowed to leave upon the expiry of their respective contracts.

The Blades are yet to be active in the transfer market, but a new face could soon be through the door, with former Liverpool and Preston North End winger Liam Millar reportedly set to join the club in the coming weeks.

The 24-year-old has previously been linked to both Burnley and Sunderland, but Sheffield United have seemingly secured a deal for his services ahead of the new season, in a move that will increase their promotion chances, and in turn hamper the Clarets and the Black Cats'.

Liam Millar transfer latest as Sheffield United 'agree deal' for Canada international

United have a 'deal in place' to sign Millar from current club FC Basel after he fulfills his international duties for Canada at the Copa América, according to BBC Sheffield journalist Adam Oxley.

Millar has been with the Belgian club since 2021, but has just one year left on his contract, meaning an exit already seemed likely this summer after he impressed on loan at Preston last season.

The former Liverpool youngster was a breath of fresh air as the Lilywhites pushed for the play-off places, with the club reportedly interested in making a permanent deal happen this summer.

While he was on loan at Deepdale, Sunderland were credited with interest in the Canadian international, as journalist Alan Nixon reported that the Black Cats viewed him as Jack Clarke’s long-term replacement, with the latter hotly-tipped to leave Wearside in the coming months.

Following the end of the season, The Sun fuelled the rumour mill surrounding Millar, with a report that suggested Burnley, alongside Sheffield United, Sunderland and PNE, were interested in securing his services in the summer transfer window on a permanent basis.

Despite the interest from elsewhere, it seems as if the Blades have won the race for Millar's signature, and he will be lining up in red and white at Bramall Lane next season.

He proved his credentials in the second-tier with Preston last campaign, so it is a great piece of business for the Blades as he will undoubtedly improve their attacking options, while their possible promotion rivals are left to seek reinforcements elsewhere.

Stealing Liam Millar from potential promotion rivals is good business for Sheffield United

The 24-year-old was no stranger to English football prior to his move to PNE last summer, having initially moved to England from his native Canada at the age of 13 to join Fulham's youth ranks, then joining Liverpool three years later.

Millar made just one senior appearance for the Reds in his five years at the club, but impressed enough on loan at Charlton Athletic in 2020/21 to earn a move to Basel that same summer.

He registered 10 goals and five assists in 46 games in all competitions in his first season with FCB, including two strikes in the Europa Conference League, but was less effective in his second campaign as he netted just one goal and four assists in the same number of games.

That loss of form saw him join Preston in September 2023, and he was a breath of fresh air under Ryan Lowe, registering five goals and five assists despite featuring in an unfamiliar left-wing-back role throughout the season.

PNE made no secret of their desire to tempt Millar back to Deepdale, but an apparent disagreement over a future role and a solid season in the second-tier has alerted other Championship clubs to his availability this summer.

Sheffield United fans should be excited about the possibility of him featuring next season among the existing attacking talents that Chris Wilder possesses, and it also potentially weakens potential rivals that could be in the mix for 2024-25.

Burnley, whoever they appoint as head coach, will be expected to be around the automatic promotion spots given the squad they have, but out wide is an area where the Clarets have plenty of faces to choose from.

Wilson Odobert, Luca Koleosho, Manuel Benson, Anass Zaroury and Mike Tresor is an embarrassment of riches at Turf Moor, so the need for Millar - unless there are a few sales in the transfer window - was minimal.