By Wayne Veysey

5th Nov, 2019 | 1:06pm

Exclusive: Sheffield United plot move to sign free agent with 166 PL appearances

Sheffield United are considering a shock move for ex-Manchester City and Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell, Football Insider understands.

Rodwell, 28, is a free agent after leaving Blackburn at the end of last season.

A United source has told Football Insider that manager Chris Wilder is looking to bolster his defensive ranks and has identified the versatile Goodison Park academy product as a potential target with the player available on a free transfer.

Wilder is in the market for a right-sided centre-back to provide cover in his defence and he sees Rodwell as someone who could play in that role.

Rodwell played at centre-half for Everton and England youth teams before moving into a predominantly midfield role.

The player has previously admitted that defence might be the best role for him to kickstart his career again.

Parma are also weighing up a move for Rodwell as he is currently training with the club, but now Sheffield United could be ready to offer him a surprise Premier League lifeline.

The former England international was close to joining Italian side Roma last month only for the Serie A club to opt against a deal at the last minute.

Rodwell has made 166 appearances in the Premier League, mainly for his boyhood club Everton.

Football Insider broke the news in September that Sheffield United had sealed another out-of-window deal when they landed Manchester United academy product Callum Gribbin on a free transfer.

In other Sheffield United news, it can be REVEALED that Everton are plotting a move to sign ‘the new Jamie Vardy’.