Chris Wilder has hinted Sheffield United may move on from their quest to sign Southend United’s Ryan Leonard, reports the Sheffield Star.  

The Blades have been keen to take Leonard to Bramall Lane for some time now, but have failed in their attempts to lure the midfielder away from Southend, which has led to Wilder admitting the club may be forced to move on.

“Things happen that we can’t do anything about. We’ll leave them there. We’ll see where we are. If it doesn’t happen, we move on,” Wilder said about Leonard’s situation.

Leonard admitted last week that he was expecting to stay in League One with Southend, rather than make the step up to the Championship with Wilder’s side.

Wilder is preparing for the Blades’ first return to the Championship since 2011, and hoped to add Leonard to his growing squad over the summer, after the 25-year old impressed for Southend last season.

Across the 2016/17 campaign, Leonard made 43 appearances and score three goals, helping Southend to seventh in the League One table.

Southend ultimately fell short in their quest for the play-offs and Championship football, but the Blades and Wilder stormed to promotion and the League One title and are now reshaping their squad ahead of the new season.

Wilder has signed Ched Evans, Nathan Thomas, Enda Stevens, George Baldock and Richard Stearman so far this summer.

Blades fans… Are you expecting Wilder to turn his attentions elsewhere or will he pursue a deal for Leonard? Let us know your thoughts!