Sheffield United are said to be preparing to ramp up their interest in former Nottingham Forest favourite Britt Assombalonga.
The Middlesbrough striker has emerged as the Blades’ top transfer target after Chris Wilder guided his hometown team to Premier League promotion from the Championship.
Wilder had set his sights on Swansea’s prolific marksman Oliver McBurnie, though he now looks like following manager Graham Potter to Brighton, after the Swans boss took charge at the Amex Stadium on Monday.
Assombalonga, who Boro forked out £15m for when they signed him from Forest in 2017, netted 14 times in the Championship last term, as they missed out on a place in the play-offs by a point to Derby County - and they'd be looking to recoup as much of that fee as possible.
According to the Northern Echo, the Blades will "firm" up their interest in Assombalonga, who tops Wilder’s wish list ahead of Brentford striker Neal Maupay.
United are on the lookout for forward options ahead of their return to the Premier League after loan players Scott Hogan and Gary Madine returned to their parent clubs, while Ched Evans and Leon Clarke remain on the transfer list at Bramall Lane.
It’s been reported that Boro’s transfer dealings are currently on the back burner, as owner Steve Gibson looks to find a replacement for Tony Pulis, with ex-Reds boss Aitor Karanka linked with a sensational return to the Riverside Stadium, though that now looks unlikely with Jonathan Woodgate the favourite.
Assombalonga was Forest’s record buy when they paid £5.5m to take him from Peterborough United to the City Ground in the summer of 2014.
The 26-year-old netted 15 goals in his first season at the City Ground, before a serious knee injury brought a premature end to his campaign and robbed Stuart Pearce’s Reds of their most prized asset.
Nottingham Forest 'target' linked with Premier League and Championship clubs
In his 47 starts at the City Ground, Assombalonga netted 30 times.
