Sheffield United are interested in signing Brentford striker Neal Maupay, with manager Chris Wilder looking to strengthen his squad ahead of next season in the Premier League, according to the Sheffield Star.

The 22-year-old scored 28 goals for Brentford in all competitions last season and has established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the Championship.

The Sheffield Star claim that Wilder has identified Maupay and Swansea City striker Oli McBurnie as two of his top transfer targets, as he looks to bolster his attacking options ahead of the Blades' return to the top flight.

The Sun reporting that Aston Villa are prepared to break their club-record transfer fee to sign the striker and that Norwich City are also interested, so the Blades will face competition to get him.

Here are two pros and two cons to Sheffield United signing Maupay...

Pro: He's a proven goalscorer

Maupay scored 25 goals for Brentford in the Championship last season and has established himself as one of the best strikers outside of the top flight.

Now that Gary Madine and Scott Hogan have both returned to their parent clubs, Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick are the only two recognised centre-forwards left at Sheffield United.

The Blades need more firepower up front and Maupay could be the player to provide that.

Pro: He's still only 22

Sometimes it is easy to forget that Maupay is still only 22.

He is already one of the best strikers in the Championship and could have what it takes to become a top player in the Premier League.

The striker will probably feel that he deserves a chance to prove himself in the top flight and now could be the perfect opportunity for him to make the step up.

Brenford will probably demand a big fee for the striker, but given that he still has his best years ahead of him, this could pay off for Sheffield United in the long-term.

Con: Brentford will demand a big fee

Wilder has been able to achieve success at Sheffield United over the past few seasons on a relatively limited budget, but if his team are to survive in the Premier League, he will have to splash the cash on a top quality player sooner or later.

Brentford are likely to demand a big fee for the striker, so it will be interesting to see if Sheffield United are prepared to spend big to get him.

Wilder has previously stated that he will not go crazy in the transfer market this summer, so it will be interesting to see whether he is prepared to take the risk with Maupay.

Con: He has no Premier League experience

Maupay is a fantastic player in the Championship and he could have what it takes to make the step up to the top flight, but he currently has no experience of playing the Premier League.

Sheffield United will probably have to spend around £20million on the striker and that would suddenly seem like an awful lot of money if he fails to make an impact in the top flight.

If he does move to Bramall Lane, it will be interesting to see if Maupay can handle the pressure of playing in the Premier League.