Sheffield United: Blades will not ditch transfer targets

As The Star revealed last week, Adkins and his staff are contemplating another approach for the 23-year-old before next month’s transfer deadline after failing with two previous bids earlier this term.

Representatives acting on behalf of Bramall Lane are believed to have contacted Craven Cottage over the Christmas period to discover their recruitment plans following Slaviša Jokanovic’s appointment as manager.

Although Adkins refused to divulge the identity of his transfer targets, he is believed to have been referring to Burn when explaining the difficulty of luring “good players” away from their present clubs.

“It’s fair to say there are a couple of players we would like to bring in,” Adkins said. “They are good players but it’s easier said than done which is unfortunate. Things change all the time, especially at this point of the season. Players who were available are suddenly back in the team which makes them no so available.”

Burn, who expressed his desire to join United during the summer window before Jokanovic’s predecessor Kit Symons blocked the move due to an injury crisis, has been a regular starter under the Serb.

“The loan window opens soon after the deadline,” Adkins, the United manager, added. “It’s important to remember that but the people we are looking at, well, they involve permanent deals and transfer fees.”

Adkins, who revealed before Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United that “private conversations” are taking place with Leicester City about extending Dean Hammond’s loan, used the midfielder’s presence to underline why he is keen to recruit “quality and character.”

“We waited for Dean,” Adkins said. “It didn’t happen straight away but you can see already it was worth the wait because of the standards he has. He’s a proper man, an elite professional and he can only improve other players at this club. You can see that happening already. His good habits rub off on the younger players especially. Every single day.”