Sheffield United learn striker’s price as Owls set to sign injury-prone Blades player

There weren’t many signings last season that paid off for Sheffield United. Ben Brereton-Diaz and Gustavo Hamer are probably the two signings most fans would agree were the most successful, contributing 17 Premier League goals between them.

In the final months of the season, supporters were once again reminded of that adage ‘You never fall in love with a loan player’ as fans enjoyed the dynamism and pace the Chile international brought to the Blades. But fans knew they should enjoy it while it lasted as the Villarreal loanee impressed in the Premier League’s worst side last campaign.

The 25-year-old returns to Spain this summer hoping to find his way into Villarreal’s starting eleven after they snapped him up on a free transfer last summer following the expiry of his contract at Blackburn Rovers.

According to El Periodico Mediterraneo, a local newspaper in Spain, they claim that Villarreal are happy to sell the lifelong Nottingham Forest supporter this summer. The Yellow Submarine are quoted as saying they will listen to offers between €7m and €10m (around £5.9m-£8.5m).

For the performances Brereton-Diaz has just shown in the Premier League, it looks like someone will get an impact player at a bargain price.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MAY 04: Ben Brereton Diaz of Sheffield United runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest at Bramall Lane on May 04, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The Star have reported that 27-year-old Max Lowe is in advanced talks to join Sheffield Wednesday after being released by the Blades this month. A medical examination is expected to take place at the end of the week.

The former Derby County man showed plenty of promise in his early years, prompting Sheffield United to make a double swoop for him and his Rams team-mate Jayden Bogle. The pair would sign in the 2020/21 summer window for a package worth up to £15m, per Sky Sports, with the right-back reportedly the more expensive of the two.

Unfortunately for Lowe, he was never able to hold down his place in the matchday squad due to countless injury problems over the years. Making just 11 appearances for United in his debut campaign, he was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest the following season, where he made 20 league appearances, scoring one goal and providing four assists before suffering a groin injury. Lowe would miss a total of 23 league games for the Reds due to the injury, according to Transfermarkt.

After a successful but injury-riddled spell at Forest, the Blades decided to keep him in the squad for the 2022/23 campaign and he played a part in Sheffield United’s promotion, but once again it was another season that was thwarted of injuries. The former Derby man has provided five assists and a goal in 26 Championship appearances under Paul Heckingbottom.

The Blades have been left without options at left-back in the opening months of the just-concluded Premier League campaign after Lowe injured his ankle in a splash just weeks into the season. After missing 25 top-flight games last term, it was no surprise to see United refuse to hand him a new contract.