Sheffield United not giving up in chase for Charlton’s Holmes

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

SkyBet Championship newcomers Sheffield United are not giving up in their chase for Charlton winger Ricky Holmes, with the Yorkshire club still believing they can thrash out a deal for the 30-year-old wideman.

Holmes worked with Blades boss Chris Wilder when both were at Northampton, and the former Portsmouth player is thought to be keen on a move to last season’s League One champions after they submitted a bid that came close to securing his services last month.

Charlton have since increased their asking price, and Addicks boss Karl Robinson has insisted he does not want Holmes to leave, but because they so nearly agreed a fee, Sheffield United’s hierarchy remain hopeful more negotiations can prove successful.

However, while Wilder is obviously keen to be reunited with his former player, he also understands United’s budget constraints with the club’s transfer structure, telling The Star: “I can’t just go and pay over-inflated fees or odds.

“The club has not had a structure in the past and, I believe, has struggled because of that. If you stick to a structure, you get good days and bad days.”

The Blades have had an encouraging summer of transfer business so far, with the additions of Richard Stearman from Wolves and Enda Stevens from Pompey among five new faces at Bramall Lane, but Wilder remains adamant he won’t spend over the odds to sign more players.

“I’m not going to kid people,” said the former Oxford boss. “Would I like the top Championship budget? Of course I would. Are the owners in the position to give me that? No. It’s as simple as that. I’ll work with what the owners give me.

“We’re going in a way that’s patient and at our pace. It might not be the pace some people like or want. But it’s our pace.

If things change above that, then the pace might change. But we’ll still do it in a structured way. We’ll do it our way. I’m not embarrassed about it. I won’t tip the owners upside down. Why should I?”