Swans linked with Sheffield United defender

As the dust starts to settle over Sheffield United’s two year stay in the Premier League the reports of clear outs are already starting as the Blades start their preparations for at least one season in the Championship.

After promotion two years ago and a solid first campaign this season has been one long disappointment from their perspective and they currently sit 15 points from safety with just 24 left to play for.  Relegation has, for some time for them, simply been a case of when rather than if.

And, as we know from our own experience, relegation from the top flight brings many challenges one of which is always squad trimming as you face up to the fact that you don’t have a Premier League income to play with any more and, whilst parachute payments do a job, they are just a drop in the ocean compared to the riches of life in the top league.

So it is not surprising to see links between their players and clubs and the Swans are being linked with defender Kean Bryan who is also a reported target for Watford, Burnley and Fulham at the same time.

The defender, 24, is out of contract this summer and seems unlikely to be getting a new contract with the Blades but with Premier League interest already on the table as well the Swans would have to compete with the lure of another season in the top flight for at least some of the other reported interest.

Bryan began his career at Manchester City where he captained the club’s development squad and had loan spells at Bury and Oldham before moving to Sheffield United in 2018.   Another loan spell, this time at Bolton, came at the end of last season but he made his Premier League debut back in November and scored in the Blades win at Old Trafford in January this year.  He has 11 appearances for the Bramall Lane club.

Given his links with the England youth set up I can see why this rumour is being reported (although he played for the Under-17s before Steve Cooper arrived) but I think staying in the Premier League is more likely and Watford seems a potentially logical location although his links to the North West could mean Burnley will fancy their chances.

One to watch, don’t file away just yet.