Middlesbrough, Burnley hold interest in 24-year-old after Sheffield United contract expiry

Sheffield United have seen Rhian Brewster’s deal expire and Graeme Bailey tells EFL Analysis Middlesbrough and Burnley hold an interest.

Sheffield United are in for a summer of change as they transition to the leadership of Ruben Selles. The new SUFC boss is the replacement for departed club legend Chris Wilder.

The Blades will be out to go one better than last season after coming up short in their play-off campaign and ideally, they’ll leave nothing to question by finishing in the automatic promotion places this time around.

New additions will go a long way to helping them achieve such a feat, but further departures are expected too. Though not officially confirmed yet, one man who is no longer under contract at Bramall Lane is forward Rhian Brewster.

Now, reporting for EFL Analysis, Graeme Bailey has claimed that the departed Sheffield United man is drawing interest from Championship side Middlesbrough and Premier League new boys Burnley.

Interestingly, Bailey goes on to say that the 24-year-old has interest from a ‘good half a dozen clubs’ following the end of his SUFC deal, but he isn’t the top choice for anyone.

There is an expectation that he gets a good move, but nothing is imminent at this moment in time.

Brewster eager to kick on after Sheffield United struggles

Ultimately, after managing nine goals and four assists in 119 games for the Blades in the five years after a £23m move, Brewster’s time at Bramall Lane goes down as an undoubted failure.

He joined Sheffield United from Liverpool as a bright prospect tipped for a big future, but was ultimately unable to kick on with the club. Injury problems didn’t help his progress, but the output was not there when available either.

There were more promising signs from Brewster under Wilder last season, performing well when used as a winger or attacking midfielder. As such, as a 24-year-old free agent, he could still represent a player worth rolling the dice on.

Where will be best for Brewster?

Middlesbrough could be a good landing spot for Brewster given their track record of player development. Heading to a Championship club, expectations would also be lower than they would at Premier League level.

The departed Sheffield United man would likely find an increased chance of a starting XI spot in the second tier too, so Boro could be a better option than Burnley.

Other clubs are seemingly keen on him though, so it remains to be seen just what options are available to the former Liverpool man after his SUFC deal expiry.

Portsmouth ready final bid for European midfield target

Portsmouth are expected to make a final bid for MTK Budapest midfielder Mark Kosznovszky in the next three-to-four days, according to reporter Lorenzo Lepore.

Portsmouth are in the market for new faces as they look to strengthen their position as a Championship club. Pompey finished in a very respectable 16th place in their first season back up from League One, though they were in the relegation picture for much of the 2024/25 campaign.

John Mousinho and co will have visions of pushing further up the division now, but the Championship will pose fresh challenges and the Fratton Park club must ensure they are prepared.

Departures of fringe players and loan men have left the ranks a little depleted, so reinforcements are a must. One man rumoured to have been on the Pompey radar is Hungarian midfielder Mark Kosznovszky.

Now, amid reports of growing rival interest with the likes of Sheffield United said to be keen, reporter Lorenzo Lepore says Portsmouth are set to make their final offer.

The Hampshire outfit offers £500,000 for the MTK Budapest star before and now, Lepore states that a final bid is set to be made in the next three-to-four days.

The relevant parties are pushing to get a deal done, but agreements over personal terms will only follow once Pompey and MTK can settle on a fee. It seems other sides are keen though, with Lepore previously writing that a return to Italy was on the 23-year-old’s radar too.

A position of focus for Portsmouth

Portsmouth will have come into the summer transfer window knowing that reinforcements were going to be needed in the middle of the park.

Freddie Potts returned to West Ham after his successful loan, while Isaac Hayden is back at Newcastle United too. As such, options in the middle are limited.

Marlon Pack is on the books but covered more at centre-back last season as he struggled with the pace of Championship football in midfield, while Abdoulaye Kamara is set to see an exit sanctioned.

That leaves only Andre Dozzell and Reuben Swann, the latter of whom is very much a developmental player. Terry Devlin can still play in the middle, but Mousinho seems to prefer the Pompey man as a right-back.

Can Kosznovszky make the step up?

Kosznovszky is fresh off the back of the best season of his career, chipping in with three goals and five assists in 30 games for MTK Budapest as a box-to-box midfielder.

Previously of the Parma academy, the 23-year-old is certainly a promising player. He could be the next overseas addition at Fratton Park as they look to make gains in the transfer market by swooping for shrewd signings from abroad.

The step up from the Hungarian top flight to the Championship will be a big one, but Kosznovszky would appear to be well equipped for such a jump. And, with Sheffield United also keen, it would appear Pompey are not alone in believing in his abilities.