With the summer transfer window well under way several high-profile moves have taken unexpected twists. Now, according to reports Championship side Sheffield United have pulled out of the race for one of League One’s most in-demand stars. 

The Blades have failed to secure the signing of 22-year-old Harrison Burrows from Peterborough United, despite at one stage reports emerging that the player was set for a medical.

It appears as though the long-running saga surrounding the club’s proposed takeover held up the deal, with the Blades no longer willing to pay the asking price, despite the defender visiting the club, according to the Peterborough Telegraph.

One club’s loss is another club’s gain

Posh chair Darragh MacAnthony went on record to state that the player was attracting a large amount of interest, including three Championship clubs and a “massive” League One club, later revealed to be Birmingham City.

With the Blades having been so close to a proposed move for the League One Player of the Year, then pulling out it opens the door to Preston North End and Birmingham to potentially secure a deal estimated to be worth £2 million, with Coventry City also suggested to hold an interest.

How likely is a move now?

It seems like it is more a case of when, not if a potential move happens with the only unknown at this time being his potential destination. The player has already been to Sheffield to visit the Blades, so will likely be mentally prepared for a move.

He didn’t feature in Posh’s friendly in Spain against AFC Wimbledon with Darragh and Darren Ferguson likely to have already moved on to players who will be part of the squad next summer.

Posh have had a large turnover of their players, but the League One club are used to that, their model ensures a regular steady income that, at times, allows them to punch above their weight and compete at a higher level than their relative size suggests.