After being released by Norwich City at the end of the season, left-back Sam McCallum is a free agent and is being pursued by Sheffield United, according to Alan Nixon. The 23-year-old appeared in 60 games for the Canaries overall, contributing two assists and one goal.

After being discharged from the Gillingham academy at the age of fifteen, he briefly considered a career in football to be more of a fantasy than a reality. After that, he would play in front of fewer than 300 fans for his hometown non-league team, Herne Bay FC. However, McCallum’s professional football career received a boost in 2018 when he became a part of Jamie Vardy’s “V9” academy.

For McCallum, “V9 felt like a revival,” he said to Sky Sports. “My housemate approached me after our showcase game in front of numerous scouts and informed me that Coventry was observing me.” I said, “This can’t be real.”

Several scouts were made aware of McCallum’s remarkable exploits in the V9 academy, although he would ultimately sign a contract to join Coventry City in 2018. Before receiving a transfer to Norwich City in the Premier League, he played in 84 games for Mark Robins’ squad.

McCallum’s statistics and what he could bring to Sheffield United

Sam McCallum can be used as a left wingback in a five-man formation or as a left back in a back four. He enjoys moving forward along the left side. Furthermore, despite his strong attacking work rate that has allowed him to get into some really promising positions, he has not contributed many goals or assists during his tenure at Norwich. In 27 league games last season, he scored just one goal and provided no assists. Is the problem with his final product, though?

He is a natural forward-runner, as evidenced by the number of touches he registers in the opposition penalty area (he is in the 75th percentile of all Championship full-backs in this category). Although his projected assists place him in the 76th percentile, his assists place him in the bottom 10% in the league. This implies that last season, forwards were attempting to get on the end of his passes but were missing them.

McCallum is in the 49th percentile when it comes to passing into the penalty area, but he seems to prefer carrying the ball there, scoring in the 83rd percentile.

McCallum is an intriguing potential on defence. Although Norwich supporters have often criticised him for his defensive effort rate, he does quite well on a number of categories. Although McCallum’s tackle totals are in the 50th percentile, it’s possible that he is well-positioned and doesn’t need to tackle as much as he does.

In the meantime, his interceptions and clearances rank in the 99th and 97th percentiles, respectively, which may further emphasise his excellent positional sense. In terms of aerials won, he also sits in the 99th percentile, which is something the Sheffield United defenders had trouble with the previous campaign.

Even if money is limited, Alan Biggs’ transfer to Sheffield United checks all the criteria.

In light of the increasing pressure on all clubs to adhere to spending regulations, it is challenging to define what constitutes a good deal. But if Villareal is willing to pay about £6 million for Ben Brereton Diaz, as is being reported, then that, in my opinion, is a bargain with a capital B.

Therefore, it was impossible to imagine Chris Wilder being uninterested in permanently returning the 25-year-old Villareal striker to Bramall Lane.

Oh, for a different place and time. A location that Sheffield United belongs. It makes perfect sense. Under typical conditions, that is. Could Wilder afford to do it? In the uncertainties of the takeover, does he even have one?

Though the purported price tag is unrealistically high, Brereton Diaz can probably be shrugged off as unrealistic at this time! Inertia kills in this situation. After scoring six goals in 14 Premier League games while on loan at United last season, BBD is sure to draw a lot of attention.

In the event that nothing goes wrong behind the scenes—buyouts can take a very long time—United would require one or more sales to get even £6 million. Stephen Bettis, the CEO, was candid enough to acknowledge this in his most recent in-depth letter to supporters.

The crucial query is: Is it possible for Wilder to begin acting as though a takeover won’t occur? Apparently not. Any other direction could be detrimental for the chances for the upcoming season. A “what if” scenario needs to be considered. Additionally, adding a player like Brereton Diaz would be a strong declaration of purpose. The value in this transaction also beyond the financial aspect.

He was already a standout performer in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers prior to his unfortunate transfer to Spain. In addition to his objectives, he offers leadership, energy, and an intense work ethic. It’s difficult to think of a better player at the top of the pitch among United’s rivals. So even if it means balancing the books later, I believe there’s a case to be made for going all in for him now.

You can’t count on the American consortium to pull through in whole, and it’s fascinating to read rumours that Prince Abdullah prefers to hold onto a portion, despite my repeated assertions that he doesn’t seem to be interested in selling.

That’s great with me, plus praise for a desire to back off—assuming sincere—that sounds good. assuming it’s not a 50/50 power split that isn’t feasible, like it was with longtime chairman Kevin McCabe before to their contentious courtroom separation. But intuition, past experience, and an elderly grump’s pessimism suggest that there might still be a long way to go in this relationship. In the meanwhile, Wilder needs to be given the freedom to lead the team.

Tom Lawrence and a relocation to the Steel City have been connected.

The ‘Terrace Talk’ series from Football League World features the views of our FLW Fan Pundits on a variety of topics, including teams, players, managers, potential signings, breaking news, and more.

Sheffield United is poised for a busy summer transfer window.

The Blades are anticipated to contend for a spot at the top of the league, even though they were relegated back to the Championship following just one season of Premier League play.

United has not placed lower than 10th in the second tier since they were back in the top two English football leagues in 2017. This came back in the 2017–18 season.

Though change is undoubtedly required and anticipated among his present group, Chris Wilder, who has experienced two promotions with his boyhood club, will be given similar tasks this time around.

The 56-year-old recently disclosed a portion of his transfer strategy, and rumours that the team is in talks with a winger who is now playing north of the border would undoubtedly fall under the heading of adding more experience to Bramall Lane.

This is due to rumours that the team is preparing an acquisition for Tom Lawrence, a winger who is now with SPFL powerhouse Rangers, that have surfaced in recent days.

Lawrence, 30, is a perfect fit for the previously described transfer outlook that Wilder and his recruiting team have disclosed. The Manchester United academy graduate was previously well-known in the second division with teams like Derby County.

Owain Wyse, a Sheffield United supporter on Football League World, has long been an admirer of the Wales international’s play, and he offered his assessment on this possible deal.

“Tom Lawrence has always been a hero of mine,” Wyse said. “I think he’s a very decent Championship player.”

His action with the Rangers startled me a little. He’s been more of a rotation guy than the elite player on the Rangers, which is something I felt would have really stood out at that level.”

“I would have been thrilled with the prospect of signing Lawrence a few years ago when he was at Derby if you had asked me the same question. I believe he’s a player we ought to have been considering,” he continued.

“I’m not as excited about him after his somewhat disappointing two seasons in Glasgow. However, I would argue that he hasn’t changed into a terrible player at all. The move hasn’t gone as planned, which is something that can happen to athletes who don’t settle in well.”

With Lawrence’s future at Ibrox uncertain, Wyse went on to disclose a price he would be willing to pay.

“I think a cut-price £2m deal represents good business for us, and if we can get him for around that price, I would be looking to bring him in.”

“I am a big fan of Tom Lawrence,” he said in closing.

The Scottish Daily Mail Paper Edition (10/06, p.67) reports that, in addition to United’s alleged interest, top tier newcomers Ipswich Town are reportedly investigating the possibility of a transfer.

After only four combined appearances during stints at Old Trafford and Leicester City, the prospect of playing Premier League football and rejoining the Tractor Boys would undoubtedly be intriguing to him. The Welshman had a fantastic season in 2016–17, tallying 11 goals and just as many assists.

As this is the last summer window in which the Light Blues can make a profit on the 30-year-old, who signed from Derby three years ago following the Rams’ relegation to League One, reports indicate that Rangers will demand a premium for his services.

Moreover, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the man who brought Lawrence to Ibrox, recently assumed leadership at Besiktas, a Süper Lig team in Turkey. Fanatik has since asserted that the Dutchman has suggested the winger to the Black Eagles’ management.

Wyse mentioned that even with the fierce competition the Blades appear to be up against in this particular race, it would be wise for all parties to take a discounted deal on an experienced Championship winger.

With 37 goals and 25 assists in 185 appearances, Lawrence excelled at Pride Park in particular. United will be expecting to get a similar performance out of the winger as he attempts to partially revive his career following a lacklustre stint in the SPFL.

But given that Ipswich offers Premier League football, that Besiktas qualified for the UEFA Europa League, and that Lawrence has ties to Van Bronckhorst, those prospects might be challenging in the upcoming days and weeks.

In any case, a gamble on the 23-year-old Wales international’s services is worthwhile because his profile fits with United’s recruitment effort.