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Sheffield United eyeing move for former Manchester City wide man

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Sinclair heading to South Yorkshire?

Premier League new boys Sheffield United are lining up a move for Celtic winger Scott Sinclair, according to the Scottish Sun.

Sinclair, who counts Chelsea, Swansea and Manchester City among his list of previous employers, would be available for just £2million; it is understood that Championship outfit Middlesbrough are also interested in obtaining his services.

The 30-year-old left Manchester City back in 2015, having seen first team opportunities at the club limited due to the vast amount of competition for places at the Etihad. He joined Aston Villa permanently in 2016 following a successful loan spell at the West Midlands outfit.

Sinclair then moved north of the border with Scottish champions Celtic and has gone on to become a pivotal player for the Bhoys as they clinched three back-to-back domestic trebles.

Scoring 60 goals in 160 appearances at Parkhead, Sinclair has lit up the SPL since his arrival, though it now looks as if his days at the club are numbered as Neil Lennon looks to bring in teenage sensation David Turnbull from Motherwell.

The former Chelsea prospect, who won Celtic's Player of the Season award after his first season, has been in and out of the starting line-up at Celtic Park during the previous 12 months and now looks certain to depart the club.

Any club wishing to prize Sinclair away from the Scottish champions will have to pay a fee, though, as opposed to getting him on a free, after manager Neil Lennon triggered a one-year extension on his contract at the end of last season.

With a wealth of experience in the Premier League, Sinclair would bring reassurance to Chris Wilder's newcomers - who last featured in the top flight back 2006-07 - though it is difficult to see where he'd fit into the Blades' system, which uses wing-backs as opposed to out-and-out wingers.

sinclair
Sinclair looks set to depart Celtic Park this summer.

Sinclair wouldn't be transformed into a full-back, that's for certain, but it is possible that manager Chris Wilder would test him through the middle, utilising his pace to get in behind opposing defensive lines in the latter stages of matches.

It is also more than likely that United will have to adapt their tactics should things not quite go to plan with their current 3-5-2 formation, which does often leave them susceptible to the counter attack.

There will be times, especially against the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, where the Blades will perhaps have to operate with a more robust back four or five, opting for the more traditional 4-4-2 formation to ensure they are not left short at the back. Should they do this, Sinclair would fit in perfectly on either side of a flat midfield four.

Another possible target for Sheffield United is Middlesbrough defender Paddy McNair. The former Manchester United man can operate in the heart of defence or in central midfield.

Speaking on Tuesday, Wilder said that he's now looking to get the ball rolling with transfer plans.

"We have identified players and a little bit of a strategy and thinking of who we want," said the 51-year-old.

"We want players of a certain age with a hunger and desire to go and compete in the Premier League and prove themselves.

"There have been a lot of names bandied about, but we are hopeful now.

"A lot of people have been away and taking holidays and we have been getting international dialing tones whether it is players, agents or managers or whatever.

"But now everybody is back and I think in the next week or two that everything will kick on and we are confident we will start seeing some names come in and that we will get deals done permanently."