Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp says he never had any interest in leaving the club in the January transfer window, despite interest from elsewhere.

Since the Blades' promotion to the Premier League in the summer, Sharp has found game time hard to come by, with just four of his 16 league appearances this season coming as part of the starting lineup.

That had led to speculation about a move away from Bramall Lane in the winter window, with Championship trio Leeds - who Sharp previously played for in the 2014/15 campaign - Nottingham Forest and Derby County, as well as Scottish champions Celtic, all linked with the striker.

It seems however, as though Sharp never had any intention of leaving the Blades last month, as when speaking about those rumours, the 34-year-old told the Sheffield Star: "I never got my chance to say my bit about my future. I'd have put it to bed from day one. I didn't want to go anywhere.

"I told the gaffer that and he told the press he didn't want me to go anywhere, but it was opened up a little bit by him saying 'if he wants to go...'

"If I had my chance, I'd have said 'it doesn't matter who comes in'. I had a lot of interest, which is always nice, but I am part of this club and I want to finish my career here."

Sharp is currently in his third spell with Sheffield United, who he rejoined from Leeds in the summer of 2015, having previously represented the Blades between 2007 and 2009 and making a handful of appearances for the club after graduating from their academy in 2004.

There are 18 months remaining on Sharp's current contract with the club, securing his future at Bramall Lane until the end of next season.

The Verdict

Fair play to Sharp here.

You imagine the opportunity to move elsewhere in January in the search of more regular game time, would have been an appealing option to many players in his current situation.

It seems however, as though Sharp never had any interest in such a move, highlighting both his commitment to Sheffield United, and his ambitions even at this late stage of his career.

Even so, this will be a source of disappointment for those Championship sides in particular, given Sharp's prolific record as the Blades won promotion from the division last season, suggests he could have had a big impact on their own chances of such an achievement in the current campaign.