Transfer Centre

Oli McBurnie comments on Sheffield United future amid Rangers links

By Carter White | 01 November 2023

Oli McBurnie would like to extend his stay at Sheffield United despite reported interest from Rangers, with the striker's deal at Bramall Lane expiring in the summer.

Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie has stated that he is happy at Bramall Lane, amid reports that the player could be making a switch to Rangers in the near future.

The 27-year-old has been a key figure for the Blades since moving from Championship outfit Swansea City in the summer of 2019 for £20m, making the attacker the club's most-expensive signing at the time.

McBurnie made the net ripple on 13 occasions and provided two assists in 38 second-tier appearances last term as Sheffield United secured automatic promotion back to the Premier League under Paul Heckingbottom.

The former Barnsley loanee has featured six times for the Blades in the top flight this season, scoring his first goal of the league term in the loss against Manchester United last month.

Despite his continued importance to the Premier League newcomers, McBurnie has been linked with a move away from Bramall Lane in recent weeks, with a certain club a potentially-tempting destination for the striker.

Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie celebrates scoring their first goal on October 21, 2023 © Reuters

It has been reported in the past week that Scottish giants Rangers are considering a move for the forward, who is a big supporter of the Glasgow-based club.

McBurnie's contract in Yorkshire expires at the conclusion of the 2023-24 term, meaning that he would be able to agree a pre-contract move with teams outside of England from January onwards.

Although there is serious interest from Phillipe Clement's side, the Scotsman recently revealed that he would like to extend his stay at Bramall Lane if the opportunity arose.

"Definitely," McBurnie said when asked whether he would like to stay with the Blades. "You know how happy I am here and I'm settled back up north.

"Being around it, I get on well with the fans and the staff and all the boys. I love it here so yes, it's a no-brainer."

Ollie McBurnie celebrates scoring for Sheffield United on October 1, 2022 © Reuters

As McBurnie alludes to, the switch from South Wales to Sheffield in 2019 has allowed him to be closer to his childhood city of Leeds, where most of his family are still based.

The Blades have a number of first-team players approaching the end of their current deals, with Ollie Norwood, John Egan and first-choice goalkeeper Wes Foderingham all set to become free agents in the summer.

After netting his first of the campaign from the penalty spot against Erik ten Hag's Red Devils on October 21, McBurnie was forced off with a groin injury and is expected to miss around a month of action.

Looking to record their first victory of the term, Sheffield United will host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, when Rhian Brewster is likely to lead the line for the Blades due to the absence of McBurnie.