According to Southend United boss, Phil Brown, the future of Ryan Leonard could take the entirety of the transfer window to resolve, as Sheffield United remain in talks to sign the midfielder, reports the Sheffield Star.

The Blades have been admirers of Leonard for some time, and Chris Wilder renewed his interest in the midfielder ahead of the January transfer window, making a fresh approach to Southend.

The 25-year-old has four goals and one assist to his name in Sky Bet League One this season, with Brown keen to keep hold of the midfielder as Southend face up to the possibility of a fight for their third-tier status in 2018.

However, despite rejecting a bid in the region of £700k, Brown confirmed that talks were still open over Leonard during the first week of the January transfer window, the Southend boss said: “There’s a renewed bid on the table for Lenny which has been turned down but the conversations are open and probably will be for all of January.”

Sheffield United are looking to bolster their squad ahead of the second-half of the season, with Wilder hoping to reignite the Blades’ push for promotion, which hit the rocks over the course of December with Wilder’s side picking up just four points from a possible 15.

Paul Coutts’ season-ending leg-break, suffered in a clash with Burton Albion in November, has left Wilder looking to strengthen his central midfield this month.

The Verdict

Sheffield United’s pursuit of Leonard is turning into a long-running transfer saga, which could come to an end this month.

Leonard is out of contract with Southend in the summer, and if they are to recoup money for the midfielder, this month will be their last opportunity to do so.

The Blades’ desire to get Leonard to Bramall Lane could mean that a deal eventually goes through – combined with Coutts’ injury, it is a deal that makes sense.

Sheffield United fans… Let us know your thoughts!