Exclusive: Birmingham, Hull and Wigan plot bids to sign Sheffield United striker

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Published on:

09 Jul 2019, 1:30 pm

EXCLUSIVE By Pete O'Rourke

Birmingham City, Hull City and Wigan Athletic are battling it out to sign Sheffield United striker Leon Clarke this window, Football Insider understands.

Clarke is expected to leave Bramall lane this summer after finding himself down the pecking order at the newly-promoted Premier League club.

The experienced striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Wigan and he impressed during his time at the DW Stadium, scoring three goals to help them secure survival in the Championship.

A Wigan source has told Football Insider the club have expressed an interest in re-signing Clarke for next season, but they face competition from Championship rivals Birmingham and Hull.

Birmingham are in the market for striking reinforcements before the close of the transfer window having lost last season's top scorer Che Adams to Southampton.

New Hull boss Grant McCann is keen to bolster his side's attacking options as he targets promotion from the Championship.

Clarke is a proven goalscorer at Championship level having had spells at Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United and Wigan in the second tier.

In other Sheffield United news, it can be REVEALED that Portsmouth have opened talks to sign a Bramall Lane star.

Wigan Athletic

Birmingham City

Sheffield United

Hull City