Sheffield United in talks as £5m Harrison Burrows bid expected

Sheffield United are bracing themselves for a busy January transfer window as attention shifts not only to potential reinforcements, but also to growing interest in some of their key players. One name now attracting attention from abroad is full-back Harrison Burrows, with Turkish side Trabzonspor making a move that could test the Blades’ resolve.

After a disappointing opening half to the 2025/26 Championship season, Sheffield United find themselves in a period of transition. A dreadful start left them playing catch-up, and although performances have improved enough to lift them into 15th place, they remain nine points adrift of the play-off positions. Given their narrow failure to secure promotion last season and the turbulence that followed, the current campaign has fallen well short of expectations at Bramall Lane.

As a result, much of the focus among supporters has been on potential incomings. The January window offers a chance to reshape the squad, address weaknesses, and inject fresh momentum into a season that still has time to be salvaged. However, alongside plans to strengthen, the club are also having to deal with outside interest in players who have performed consistently since arriving.

According to reports from Sky Sports News, Trabzonspor are keen to sign Harrison Burrows and have already had an initial bid rejected by Sheffield United. The Turkish Super Lig side are believed to have seen a £3.5 million offer turned down, with discussions ongoing and the possibility of a second, improved bid on the horizon. It is suggested that Trabzonspor could return with an offer closer to £5 million in an effort to push negotiations forward.

Burrows joined Sheffield United from Peterborough United in the summer of 2024 for an undisclosed fee and quickly established himself as a regular figure in the side. His reliability, work rate, and attacking contribution from full-back have made him a valuable asset, and it is no surprise that his performances have attracted attention beyond English football.

Since arriving at Bramall Lane, Burrows has accumulated significant experience at Championship level. Last season, he made 46 league appearances, including all three play-off matches, and chipped in with five goals from defence. This campaign, he has featured in 24 of the club’s 25 league fixtures so far, starting 13 of those games, underlining his continued importance even as competition for places has increased.

Trabzonspor’s interest could present Burrows with an appealing opportunity. The Turkish club are currently sitting third in the Super Lig, behind only the dominant forces of Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. That position marks a notable improvement on their previous campaign, when they finished seventh and missed out on European qualification altogether. A strong league finish this season could see them return to continental competition, an incentive that may prove tempting for any player.

From Sheffield United’s perspective, the situation is finely balanced. Burrows remains a key member of the squad, but the club are not without alternatives. Sam McCallum provides another option at left-back and was selected to start in the Blades’ most recent Championship outing, a 3–1 victory over Leicester City, with Burrows beginning the match on the bench. That selection may not be directly linked to transfer speculation, but it does highlight that there is at least some depth in the position.

With several weeks still remaining in the transfer window, Sheffield United would have time to seek a replacement or additional cover should they decide to cash in. A bid in the region of £5 million could represent a significant return, particularly given that Burrows was signed for a modest fee just over a year ago. In a climate where Championship clubs must carefully balance ambition with financial sustainability, such an offer would be difficult to ignore.

For Burrows himself, the prospect of a move abroad could be enticing. Playing for a club competing near the top of its domestic league, potentially with European football on the horizon, represents a different challenge and a step into a new footballing culture. At the same time, leaving midway through the season would mean walking away from unfinished business in England, with Sheffield United still hoping to climb the table and mount a late push towards the top half.

Ultimately, any decision will depend on whether Trabzonspor follow up their initial approach with a significantly improved bid and whether Sheffield United feel that the timing is right to part with one of their more dependable performers. For now, talks are said to be ongoing, and the situation remains fluid.

As January unfolds, the Blades are likely to face more moments like this, balancing the need to strengthen their squad with the reality that strong individual performances inevitably attract attention. The coming weeks will reveal whether Harrison Burrows remains part of Sheffield United’s plans for the rest of the season or whether a move to Turkey becomes one of the window’s more notable departures.

PNE close in on winger signing after agreeing personal terms

Preston North End are reportedly edging closer to completing their first signing of the January transfer window, with an exciting young winger set to arrive at Deepdale.

While much of the focus during the opening days of the window has centred on departures rather than arrivals, work has been ongoing behind the scenes to strengthen Paul Heckingbottom’s squad. North End have already sanctioned a couple of exits, with Harrison Armstrong returning to Everton after a productive loan spell and Stefan Thordarson on the verge of finalising a move to Hannover 96. However, attention is now turning toward incomings, with fresh reports suggesting PNE are ready to dip into the market.

According to the Irish Examiner, Preston are close to securing the services of highly rated winger Cathal O’Sullivan. The 18-year-old has been on the club’s radar for some time and now appears poised to become North End’s first addition of the winter window.

O’Sullivan, who came through the ranks at Cork City, has been monitored by PNE since last summer. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has also attracted interest from clubs such as Celtic and Crystal Palace, underlining the regard in which he is held. Despite that competition, Preston seem to have moved decisively to put themselves in pole position for his signature.

Reports suggest the teenager has already spent time at Deepdale, including attending Preston’s pre-Christmas draw with Norwich City, and has continued to visit the club in recent weeks. Those visits only intensified speculation that a move was imminent, and it now appears that confidence within the Preston camp has been justified.

The Irish Examiner claims that personal terms between O’Sullivan and North End have been agreed, with the winger set to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract. While a compensation package with Cork City is still to be finalised, this is not expected to derail the deal. O’Sullivan became a free agent after his contract at Turners Cross expired at the end of November, meaning he is free to move clubs even if the exact fee has yet to be settled.

This potential signing comes at an encouraging time for Preston, who currently sit fourth in the Championship table. With just three points separating them from the automatic promotion places, there is growing optimism around Deepdale that this could be a season to remember. Strengthening the squad, even with a long-term project like O’Sullivan, fits into a broader strategy aimed at maintaining momentum while planning for the future.

However, fans should not expect to see the winger in action anytime soon. O’Sullivan is still recovering from a serious ACL injury sustained while playing for Cork City in the League of Ireland back in July. That setback has kept him sidelined for several months, and his immediate focus will be on rehabilitation rather than first-team football.

Preston’s medical team will oversee the remainder of his recovery, with April provisionally earmarked as a potential return date. Even then, there is unlikely to be any rush to throw him straight into competitive action. Paul Heckingbottom is expected to take a cautious approach, ensuring the teenager is fully fit and ready before making his debut.

In the short term, O’Sullivan will not be available for Preston’s upcoming fixtures. The Lilywhites host Wigan Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday night, before returning to Championship action with a home clash against Derby County on Saturday, January 17. Those matches will come too soon for the young winger, who remains focused on his rehabilitation programme.

As a result, supporters may need to wait until pre-season to get their first proper glimpse of what O’Sullivan can bring to the side. That patience, however, is unlikely to dampen enthusiasm, given the player’s reputation and potential. At just 18, he represents a signing with an eye firmly on the future, rather than an immediate solution.

From Preston’s perspective, the move makes sense on multiple levels. Securing a highly regarded young talent, especially one who is technically available as a free agent, carries limited financial risk while offering significant upside. If O’Sullivan fulfils his promise, North End could have a valuable asset on their hands for years to come.

For O’Sullivan, the switch to English football offers an opportunity to continue his development in a highly competitive environment. The Championship is renowned for its physicality and intensity, but it also provides a platform for young players to grow, learn, and showcase their abilities. Preston’s current position near the top end of the table only adds to the appeal.

Although compensation negotiations with Cork City remain ongoing, there is a strong sense that the final hurdles will be cleared sooner rather than later. All indications point toward Preston completing the deal and officially welcoming O’Sullivan as their first January signing.

In a window that has so far been dominated by talk of exits, this move would signal North End’s intent to keep building, not just for the remainder of this season but for the long term. While fans will have to wait to see the winger in action, the potential arrival of Cathal O’Sullivan offers plenty of reasons for optimism as Preston North End continue their push at the top end of the Championship.