## Sheffield United Managerial Change Throws Oli McBurnie’s Next Move Into Uncertainty Amid Swansea and Hull Interest
Sheffield United are preparing for significant upheaval as the club prepares to dismiss manager Chris Wilder, an outcome expected to be finalised in the coming hours. This development comes on the back of the Blades’ unsuccessful attempt to bounce straight back into the Premier League, an outcome that has led to concerns about the club’s readiness for the new Championship campaign.
The anticipated managerial shake-up at Bramall Lane is likely to send ripples through the club’s transfer activities, particularly with regard to former fan-favourite striker Oli McBurnie. As McBurnie exits Las Palmas following the Spanish club’s relegation from La Liga, his return to the UK has attracted attention from several Championship clubs.
Hull City have emerged as strong contenders to land the Scottish international. According to local sources, the club have already opened discussions with the 29-year-old, and talks are reportedly planned between McBurnie and Hull’s head coach Sergej Jakirovic in the upcoming days. This proactive approach places the Tigers at the front of a growing queue of suitors.
Birmingham City are also believed to hold an interest, but much of the speculation circles around McBurnie’s potential return to his former sides. Sheffield United’s position, however, appears to be in flux following news of Chris Wilder’s expected exit, raising fresh questions about whether the club will pursue a reunion with the striker who cost them £17 million five years ago after his move from Swansea City.
The Welsh club themselves have been perennially linked with a McBurnie homecoming, but sources close to Swansea City indicate that a move is not imminent. Club officials have yet to initiate formal talks with McBurnie’s camp, reflecting an apparent hesitancy shaped by financial considerations and competing transfer priorities.
Swansea’s director of football, Richard Montague, played down expectations recently, acknowledging McBurnie’s talents but steering clear of any suggestions that negotiations had advanced. “Oli’s qualities are well-known and he’s been discussed as an option. But it’s too soon to state whether anything concrete has developed,” Montague commented, highlighting the meticulous approach the Swans are taking in this summer’s transfer market.
One major obstacle for Swansea comes in the form of squad management and budget constraints. With a clear focus on acquiring a central midfielder, any substantial outlay for a striker like McBurnie would necessitate sacrifices elsewhere. There is a consensus within the Swansea hierarchy that existing attacking players—such as Jerry Yates and Mykola Kuharevich, both returning from loan spells—may need to be moved on before new additions can be considered, making any deal for McBurnie part of a broader strategic puzzle.
Addressing the issue, Montague explained, “All transfer possibilities must be weighed carefully in light of our broader squad and budgetary needs. It’s about balancing the value a player brings against the overall resource allocation.” He stopped short of naming McBurnie specifically but outlined the club’s need to ensure player acquisitions align with the squad’s evolving needs and financial realities.
This uncertainty at both Sheffield United and Swansea City leaves Hull City with an opportunity to push ahead in their pursuit of McBurnie. The striker, who has navigated a challenging spell in Spain with Las Palmas, may be seeking a return to familiar territory, but the ultimate destination could well depend on managerial appointments, club finances and the broader transfer movements this summer.
As the Championship’s transfer window begins to heat up, McBurnie’s next destination remains open-ended—a scenario shaped as much by boardroom decisions as by the striker’s own ambitions.
With further developments expected as Chris Wilder’s future is determined, the coming days could provide more clarity on whether McBurnie will be sporting a Hull, Swansea, or Sheffield United shirt come August. For now, his journey is yet another reminder of the unpredictable nature of football’s summer transfer market.