According to the Sheffield Star, Southend United have rejected a bid from Sheffield United for Ryan Leonard, insisting it is well below their valuation of the player.

Leonard is entering the final year of his contract at Roots Hall, and has been subject to a bid from a Championship club, who are believed to be Sheffield United.

The 25-year old has established himself has one of Sky Bet League One’s best midfielders, and has enjoyed six fantastic years with Southend, where he has made 230 appearances.

Southend’s manager, Phil Brown, was insistent the back-to-back player of the year winner would not be sold cheaply this summer, despite his contract situation, he said: “We’ve had a bid for Lenny now but the chairman has rejected it and it does not come close to matching our valuation, even if he is in the final year of his contract.

“We’re offering Ryan an improved deal and we want him to stay because of how important he is to the team and what we want to achieve here next season.”

Brown’s side finished seventh in League One last season, missing out on the play-offs by just one-point.

Leonard’s suitors, Sheffield United, stormed to the League One title, and Chris Wilder is currently moulding his squad ahead of their first season in the Championship since 2011.

Wilder has already significantly added to his squad, bringing Ched Evans, Nathan Thomas and Enda Stevens to Bramall Lane.

Blades and Southend fans… What do you make of this news? Where do you think Leonard will be playing his football next season? Let us know your thoughts!