According to The Mirror, Brighton & Hove Albion are set to produce a £6million bid for Sheffield United centre back Jack O’Connell. The 24-year-old has shone for the Blades both in League One and the Championship. Chris Hughton believes he can now cut it in the Premier League.
Chris Wilder however will understandably be keen to keep the player at the club. O’Connell is undoubtedly one of the first names on the team sheet and is not easily replaced, especially at this stage of pre-season. The transfer window of course closes earlier this season; before the campaign actually gets under way.
Hughton is said to be considering a £6million offer to tempt the English second tier side. There is however perhaps not a great desire to sell considering they have just cashed in on talented youngster David Brooks to AFC Bournemouth for a big money fee.
Wilder brought O’Connell to Bramall Lane at the start of the 2016/17 campaign. He helped them win the Sky Bet League One title, whilst helping them consolidation and mount a play-off push following promotion. He appears settled at the club, especially after having several loan moves throughout his career. He would come through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers, before switching to Brentford in 2015. He has seemingly stepped up a level since making the move to Sheffield and Wilder clearly appreciates what he brings to the team.
Brighton are to enter their second consecutive season in the top league and believe O’Connell can help maintain their Premier League status.
