Sheffield United in 'pole position' to sign ex-Leeds United and Barnsley midfielder Joe Rothwell from Rangers
Sheffield United are reportedly in pole position to sign former Leeds United midfielder Joe Rothwell from Rangers.
The 30-year-old was not among the most glamorous signings made by Leeds in the summer of 2024 after their play-off final heartbreak.
However, he proved to be a shrewd addition as he went on to help Leeds clinch the Championship title.
There was briefly some speculation about a longer-term stay at Elland Road, but Rothwell returned to his parent club AFC Bournemouth upon the expiry of his loan deal.
He was not back with the Cherries for long, as he was reunited with 49ers Enterprises north of the border at Rangers.
Sheffield United linked with Joe Rothwell
There has already been talk of a January exit, with Rothwell having slipped down the pecking order since the appointment of Danny Rohl as manager at Ibrox.
According to the Daily Record, Sheffield United are leading the race to sign the former Barnsley loanee.
A move to Bramall Lane would reunite Rothwell with Patrick Bamford, another member of Leeds’ promotion-winning squad who left West Yorkshire in the summer.
While Rothwell’s move to Rangers has not quite worked out, he is a player who has proven himself time and time again at Championship level.
His experience could also prove crucial as Sheffield United look to climb the Championship table and avoid a relegation battle.
January reshuffle on horizon
Blades boss Chris Wilder has been brutally honest about the need for a squad reshuffle in January, with exits seemingly necessary for new blood to be recruited.
In a recent interview, he said: "I think getting the balance right and getting the numbers right is important because we're a bloated football squad we're a bloated football club. There's too many players at the football club at the moment.
"You can't leave yourself light but certainly you can't just have players hanging around knowing that they're not going to play or not going to be in and around it because I don't think they're ready or they're good enough. I don't think that's good for them and it's certainly not good for us.”