Sheffield United set to miss out on free transfer Joe Rothwell as Bournemouth close in

Sheffield United appear to have lost the race to sign Blackburn Rovers midfielder Joe Rothwell on a free transfer. The 27-year-old had been linked with a move to Bramall Lane but Bournemouth are now “closing in” on a move, according to The Daily Echo.

A return to the Premier League gives the Cherries the upper hand in negotiations, an opportunity United missed out on after losing their play-off semi-final to Nottingham Forest. Rothwell - who made 41 appearances for Blackburn last season - is out of contract at the end of this month.

Cherries boss Scott Parker is keen to bolster his squad ahead of their top-flight return and Rothwell fits the bill, having emerged as one of the Championship’s most consistent performers since joining Rovers in 2018. A Manchester United academy graduate, the midfielder turned down a new deal at Old Trafford six years ago to seek first-team football.

Oxford United was his next destination but it did not take long before bigger clubs took note and Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray lured him to Ewood Park. Failing to sign Rothwell would be the first blow in the transfer market for the Blades as Paul Heckingbottom & Co prepare for a promotion push in 2022-23.