Sheffield United 'in talks' with ex-Crystal Palace and Aston Villa man Jordan Ayew after Leicester City exit
A report has named a free agent supposedly being eyed by Sheffield United
Sheffield United are reportedly in talks over a deal to sign free agent Jordan Ayew.
A vastly-experienced forward, the 34-year-old has been unattached since the expiry of his Leicester City contract at the end of the June.
He was part of the Foxes squad that suffered back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to League One, scoring 12 goals in 80 appearances across two seasons.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has spoken openly of his desire to get a free agent in but has not named the player being lined up.
Sheffield United linked with free agent forward
It appears Ayew could be the player Wilder has spoken of, as reporter Alan Nixon has claimed talks are taking place.
Blackburn Rovers are also mentioned in the report, although the Lancashire club have since been distanced from the 122-cap Ghana international.
Ayew has spent more than a decade in English football having first arrived on British shores to sign for Aston Villa in 2015.
He made 58 appearances for the Midlands outfit, scoring 10 goals, before moving on to Swansea City in 2017. Ayew had a two-year spell in Wales, during which he registered 12 goals, and was snapped up by Crystal Palace in 2019.
The Eagles relied heavily on Ayew and used him on 212 occasions over a five-year period. He weighed in with 23 goals and 21 assists, scooping their 2019/20 season Player of the Year award along the way.
Sheffield United’s free agent dilemma
Ayew may well be in Sheffield United’s sights, although Wilder has spoken of the need to offload someone before an incoming can be signed off on.
He said: “We're working really hard. There are two scenarios. We have to move one of the players out, which is becoming a problem because he's at the moment part of the 25-man squad that we've inherited, a player that I inherited.
“So that's becoming a difficult scenario and situation. But hopefully we've found a solution to that and we'll bring a player in. I’m not being negative, but I think you understand that the market for a particular player, especially a forward, is a very small one.
“But we feel we've found somebody that can add to us, add to the group, add versatility, availability, experience as well. We've got enough young players in the team; the balance of the team has got to be right and quality, ability.
“So we feel that we've got somebody that can help us out this season. But it all depends on if we can move a player out of the building, to register the player that we're interested in
“It's all dependent on the player going out. If the player doesn't go out and some more windows shut, then we won't be able to do anything.”