Exclusive: Derby County make approach to sign Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp

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Published on:

26 Jan 2021, 12:57 pm

Derby County have made contact with Sheffield United about a late-window signing of Billy Sharp, Football Insider can reveal.

The Championship club have set their sights on the striker due to his excellent Championship record and potential availability.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider Derby have lodged an enquiry and are waiting to hear if a deal can be done.

Sharp, who turns 35 next week, has been limited to just nine appearances across all competitions this season.

However, despite his limited involvement, he is the Blades' second top goalscorer with three behind David McGoldrick who has found the net six times.

McGoldrick, Rhian Brewster, Oli Burke and Oli McBurnie are all ahead of Sharp in the pecking order at Bramall Lane.

Boyhood Blade Sharp has an outstanding record in the second-tier having found the net 114 times in 322 Championship games.

When Sheffield United won promotion from the division in the 2018/19 season, Sharp finished the season with 23 league goals.

Wayne Rooney is keen to add reinforcements to his Derby County squad after being named permanent manager earlier this month.

The Rams are in the middle of a relegation battle but the former England captain has steadied the ship at Pride Park.

Derby are now five points above Rotherham United who occupy the final relegation spot but the Millers have three games in hand over them.

In other news, Football Insider can reveal Chris Wilder has been hit with a hammer blow after a U-turn from the Sheffield United owners.

Derby County

Sheffield United