Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has confirmed that John Lundstram will not sign a new contract at the club.
The 26-year-old’s current contract runs out at the end of this season. Despite talks over a new deal, he now looks set to be leaving the club next summer.
The Englishman will be able to negotiate with foreign clubs from January about a pre-contract. The Blades could also decide to sell him for a cut-price to English clubs, with a number reported to be interested.
John Lundstram to Leave Sheffield United
What Did Wilder Say?
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s encounter against Manchester City, Wilder said: “It’s been very frustrating. We’ve offered him a very attractive contract that is up there with the top players at the football club and he has made the decision with his agent that he doesn’t want to sign, which is fine and I respect that.
“He’s still a Sheffield United player so he’s still available for selection.
“There’s three options for me and it’s quite straightforward. He personally runs down his contract which he has every right to do. We try and recoup some value for the player in the January window, or the best option for Sheffield United is that he signs that new and improved contract. That doesn’t look like it will happen, which is unfortunate.
“We feel it was a very, very good offer, but there are always two sides to it and John and his agent feel like they want to negotiate elsewhere.”
Will He Play for the Club Again?
Wilder also said he needs to decide whether or not to continue playing the player.
“I need to make that decision. I’ve got to look at it in a short, medium and long-term view. I believe if John does play that he will do his best and I wouldn’t pick him if I didn’t think he was in the right frame of mind.
“I’ve got to think quite hard about it and I’m very frustrated by that.
“Cards on the table I think John should have signed it but he doesn’t believe or his agent doesn’t believe he should sign it and that’s where it’s at.”
"I believe if he does play he'll do his best, I wouldn't pick him otherwise.
Cards on the table I think John should have signed it but he doesn't believe or his agent doesn't believe he should sign it and that's where it's at ."
The Gaffer on John Lundstram. 👇 pic.twitter.com/DyTpOu5K1h
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 29, 2020
Where Could Lundstram End up?
Several clubs in the Premier League and abroad have looked to sign him in the past. The Sheffield Star has reported that Wilder was prepared to listen to bids in the summer for the player. However, despite interest from Crystal Palace, Burnley and Rangers, no bids were made.
With it now looking set that the player will leave the club in the immediate future, might January be the time that these three clubs come in for the player?
However, the Scottish side could be the team in the driving seat as they won’t even need to get the club involved in signing the player, using the pre-contract rule to get their man.
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