Arsenal stance on Daniel Ballard and why Sheffield United are keen as rival manager speaks out

Daniel Ballard is a name familiar to Sheffield United. The 22-year-old came up against them twice last season and was on the winning side on both occasions.

Indeed, from open play United's strikers got little change out of the Millwall backline in a 2-1 defeat at Bramall Lane and 1-0 loss at the Den with only a Billy Sharp penalty to show for their efforts over the two games.

On loan from Arsenal, the central defender spent the season with Gary Rowett's men and impressed, leading to a host of clubs chasing his signature for next season.

The Gunners are said to be open to offers for the academy graduate. With the likes of Ben White, Gabriel, William Saliba and Rob Holding ahead of him in north London, he will find it difficult to break into Mikel Arteta's side.

The player himself will be keen for regular football next season having managed to establish himself at international level with Northern Ireland.

His flexibility along the back will be of great importance to Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom. He is in need of defensive additions to provide cover and competition to Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack Robinson. And Ballard has played in all three.

A regular on the right side of a back three for Millwall, he clocked up 31 appearances for the Lions last season in a defence that was among the toughest to break through in the division. Only the three promoted sides shipped fewer goals than Millwall.

However, he has played in all three positions for Northern Ireland. He played alongside Jonny Evans in the centre of a back four in the 3-2 defeat to Kosovo on Thursday.

He also played on the left of a back three in the 1-0 defeat to Greece at the start of the month - a match which saw George Baldock make his international bow