If Liverpool want to win the competition for Oliver Arblaster from Sheffield United this summer, they are reportedly going to have to overcome the challenge of two other Premier League teams.
After a productive loan stint with Port Vale, where he played 26 games in the first half of the season and recorded two goals and two assists, the 19-year-old returned to Bramall Lane in January.
Chris Wilder’s goal to reintegrate Arblaster into the first team led to his recall from his Port Vale loan.
Arblaster had previously made five first-team appearances for Sheffield United in the 2022–2023 season before to their promotion to the Premier League.
The younsgter has made a strong impression on the Blades since joining them in March after recovering from a knee injury he sustained in December.
He has featured in each of the team’s past three Premier League games.
Liverpool face competition to sign the youngster
If they are to recruit the teenager, Jurgen Klopp’s team already have a big hurdle to clear because he just extended his contract with Sheffield United until 2028.
Two of the Reds’ fellow Premier League sides who are vying for European football, West Ham United and Aston Villa, have reportedly entered the battle for Arblaster, according to the Daily Mail.
Arblaster has become a top target for West Ham and Aston Villa as they want to add to their pools of young, homegrown talent during the summer transfer season.
Even though Sheffield United manager Wilder is still optimistic about keeping the 19-year-old in the team even in the event of the Blades’ anticipated relegation from the top division, he could be forced to sell if a good offer comes in.
The youngster can fast-track his development at Liverpool
The England youth international would join Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Wataru Endo in the Reds’ midfield makeover.
Anfield is one of the best places in the league for young players and their development and this could convince the youngster to join the Reds.