Sheffield United launch Rangers transfer enquiry over former Leeds United star as he holds 'strong' interest

Sheffield United have reportedly stepped up their interest in a Rangers midfielder as they look to take the former Leeds United man back to the Championship.

Joe Rothwell moved to Ibrox in the summer window after time at Bournemouth, which ended on loan at Leeds United, where he helped the Elland Road side back to the Premier League. His performances in the Russell Martin era were criticised and under new head coach Danny Rohl, game time has become limited in Scotland.

Rothwell has featured 19 times this season but last played a Premiership game back in October. Journalist Darren Witcoop claims that amid rising Championship interest, Sheffield United want to bring him back to the second tier of English football, following on from initial reports of their interest in Rothwell.

Sheffield United interest in Joe Rothwell latest

He claimed on X: “Joe Rothwell the subject of strong interest from Championship clubs. Sheffield United have asked about taking the out-of-favour Rangers midfielder on loan.”

Blades boss Chris Wilder said recently of transfer moves: “The three or four players that we need in, ideally we'd love to get them in for January 4, which is the earliest possible time (the first game, at home to Oxford United, they could play in).

“But I also understand that we won't get all four in (by then). We'd like to do a couple early on, which we feel confident that we can do. But I think AFCON is involved as well in that, because of the quality of players that we're looking at. Taking players out of the Premier League teams will be a market that we'll be looking at.

What are Sheffield United transfer intentions amid Joe Rothwell interest?

“There are options and opportunities to strengthen the squad and I’m confident that we can do that. The owners have been really positive towards our recommendations. Stephen (Bettis, the club's chief executive) is working extremely hard in conjunction with the owners to make it happen and hopefully we can have a positive January.

“It’s part and parcel of a manager's job, working on a day-to-day basis from a preparation point of view and getting us ready for the next game but always having an eye on what's happening in January. I’m really positive that we can look in a lot better place come the end of January, although there are a lot of people and a lot of moving parts in it.”

Rothwell said upon moving to Ibrox under Martin: “My first reaction? A yes straight away, obviously then with the manager coming in as well it made that decision a little bit easier for me. Working with him and knowing what type of guy he is and how he wants to do things that was an even bigger pull for me, but the club speaks for itself really. It doesn't take much telling to you and as soon as the interest was there it was an immediate yes from me. I have said it in past interviews just as a man he is one of the best I have come across.”