Rangers-linked John Lundstram has refused to sign a new contract at Sheffield Utd - leaving manager Chris Wilder 'very frustrated'.
The midfielder has been offered terms on a new deal at Bramall Lane after three good years at the club. Lundstram played well for the Blades last season as they finished ninth in the Premier League and Wilder is desperate to hold onto him.
With a contract offer on the table, though, Lundstram is unwilling to commit his future to the club, which has put Gers on high alert about the potential for a cut-price transfer in January should Wilder opt to cash-in. But the boss remains disappointed that he has been unable to convince the player to stay.
“It’s been very frustrating for myself personally," Wilder said. We have offered John a very attractive contract, and him and his agent don’t want to sign it. The three options are straightforward for me.
"He runs down his contract, and he has every right to do that, which is not ideal for us; we try to recoup some value for the player in the January window; or the best option for the football club is he signs the new contract - which doesn't look like it will happen and that's unfortunate.
"So we’ll invite offers for a very good player. I’ll move on.
"Does he play? I’ve got to make that decision, with a short, medium and long term view. I believe if John does play, he will do his best.
"I wouldn’t pick him if he wasn’t in the right frame of mind. But I’ve got to think quite hard with it."
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