Clough relaxed over Sheffield United striker search

Clough has been busy in the transfer market, but is still actively pursuing a frontline forward, having been strongly linked with Barnsley’s Chris O’Grady, with exploratory talks having already been held.

No significant progress has been made on the striker front, according to Clough, but the Blades chief is in no rush and is seemingly prepared to be patient in order to get the right man.

Clough said: “We are still chasing but no further forward. But we are not desperate.

“We have got Chris Porter, Jose (Baxter), Marc McNulty, Jamie Murphy and Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who can go up front as well. It’s not as if we have just one or two on our books at the moment.

“It would have to be the right one and for the right deal. It will have to be a good striker to supplement what we have got.”

Specifically on O’Grady, he added: “It’s a possibility, but nothing has moved on.

“We are still talking about a few strikers, but still ‘discussing.’ Nothing has happened to make it the right deal so far.”

The situation regarding Harry Maguire also remains unchanged with the central defender, subject of several failed bids from Wolves and another from Hull City, continuing to train with the Blades.

Clough has insisted the young centre half will only leave if the club receive the right offer and appropriate valuation for the player, who is assessing his options after halting talks regarding a contract extension - with his current deal running out next summer.

If the situation regarding Maguire remains the same once the transfer window is closed at the end of August, Clough plans to then re-start talks with the 21-year-old regarding a new deal.

Clough, who says the club won’t be budged in their valuation of Maguire, added: “Nothing has changed. He is training with us and is taking part in everything and is a first-team player.

“I speak to Mal Brannigan (managing director) every day. We have had a couple of bids, we have turned them down and that’s it.

“We knocked a couple of bids a few weeks ago and until something comes near our valuation, we have not got a decision to make.

“Once the transfer window has gone and he is going to stay, then we will sit down and start talks again if he wants to.

“Harry is contracted by us for another year and gets paid by us every week and his job is to play football for Sheffield United as and when we ask him to.

“I don’t see any point looking further into it than that at the moment. He’s a contracted player with us.”