EXCLUSIVE: Leeds United interested in signing 23-yr-old Sheffield right back as Chris Wilder admits player could leave if right offer is made

Fresh reports suggest Leeds United are about to make a move for Sheffield United right-back Jayden Bogle. The surprising news broke early on Saturday afternoon and raised eyebrows not just because the 49ers are usually tight-lipped, but because he’s an asset to the Blades.

Bogle, 23, made 34 appearances in the Premier League last season and scored three goals, including one which gave his side the lead against Man Utd at Old Trafford.

His style of play has been likened to that of a wing-back and he’ll surely flourish back in the Championship, where he’s made 118 appearances since coming through the ranks at Derby County.

Daniel Farke will be desperate to add depth at right-back given the departures of Luke Ayling and his out-of-position replacement, Archie Gray. Conor Roberts spent the second half of last season at Elland Road. Although he made minimal impact, he captured the imagination of the fans.

He’s been linked with a return to Yorkshire in this transfer window but nothing has materialised as yet. The Blades will be able to soften the financial blow of relegation with parachute payments coming their way, but that doesn’t mean they won’t sell if the price is right as boss Chris Wilder noted after his side’s opening preseason game yesterday.

“There is a value in every [player],” Wilder told The Star. “We’re not a selling club, but we understand that, if there is any interest in our players and if there’s any bids, any club in the world will look at it and deal with it. From our point of view, we’re not intent on buying players and selling them below the price that we think that they’re worth. And that’s whether it’s one of the young ones or one of the older ones. Every player has a price and a value at the club.”

At this stage, there are no indications Bogle himself wants to leave. However, time is ticking on his contract, meaning he could leave as a free agent next summer.

It’s also worth noting that his current club are hardly well-fancied to seal a return to the top flight, while the Whites are the bookie’s favourite to win the league.

Leeds should have a sizeable war chest to attack promotion with this campaign and a bid above £5 million could tempt them to sell.