Exclusive: Sheffield United set to offer new midfielder deal
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Exclusive: Sheffield United set to offer new midfielder deal

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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Sheffield United are keen to tie John Fleck down to a new contract to fend off Premier League suitors led by Arsenal, Football Insider has learned.

The central midfielder, 28, has been integral to the stunning rise through the divisions of Chris Wilder’s team and his red-hot form has alerted top-flight rivals.

A United source has told Football Insider that the club are planning to offer Fleck a new and improved deal ahead of the summer.

Fleck's current contract, signed in September 2017, is due to expire in the summer of 2021.

Bramall Lane chiefs want to avoid a situation in which the free-scoring midfielder enters the final 12 months of his deal, leaving them vulnerable to losing him in the next window.

This comes after Football Insider revealed last month that Arsenal are plotting long-term moves for the Rangers academy product as well as his right-back teammate George Baldock.

Fleck is valued at £20million by United, a measure of his dramatic progress under Wilder and how he has settled into the Premier League.

Arsenal's interest in him intensified after he scored a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw between the two clubs last month, his fifth Premier League goal of the season.

Signed on a free contract in the summer of 2016, Fleck has played comfortably the best football of his career at Sheffield United.

The former Rangers and Coventry City man has made 162 appearances for the Yorkshire outfit, scoring 13 goals and supplying a hugely impressive 41 assists from midfield.

In other Arsenal news, it can be REVEALED that the club are keen on making Premier League 23-year-old their marquee summer signing.

Arsenal
Sheffield United
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