Rotherham United are facing a multi-club battle in the race to sign Sheffield United‘s Billy Blacker.
The Millers have been eyeing several final additions to their squad in the wake of their squad overhaul this summer, and have been tied to another Blades youngster and Barnsley target, Louie Marsh, earlier this week.
Blacker Deal Eyed
While interest in the former Doncaster Rovers loanee remains, with the Rotherham Advertiser reporting that Alex Bruce had watched Marsh play in midweek, other options are also being considered before Tuesday night’s deadline.
Sky Sports News have reported in their transfer blog that Billy Blacker is also of interest to United for a loan move, after an impressive loan spell in League Two last season.
The 20-year-old played 29 times for Tranmere Rovers as they battled against relegation, scoring and assisting once in the fourth tier in his first loan spell away from Bramall Lane.
However, Rotherham are facing other competition from their divisional rivals, with Walsall and Crawley Town also keen on a deal to recruit Blacker.
Alex Bruce’s side have got another midfielder deal over the line, officially clinching the services of Manchester United’s Jayce Fitzgerald on a season-long loan, continuing their association with the Red Devils after loan spells for Dan Gore and Gabriele Biancheri last season.
Where Is The Best Destination For Blacker?
With his chances of emerging as a viable option for Chris Wilder taking a slight hit following the addition of Hamza Choudhury on a permanent basis, it seems that Billy Blacker is on course for another loan spell in League Two.
Having played a regular role in a Tranmere Rovers squad that bravely battled against relegation, the 20-year-old will be keen to prove himself in another squad that will want to challenge further up the table, and in Rotherham, Crawley and Walsall, he has some good options to choose from.
Rotherham may be a logical option given their proximity to his current home of Bramall Lane, but with plenty of loan deals being agreed by the Millers in the buildup to the deadline, there is a chance that the club could have more loanees in their ranks than is allowed in an EFL matchday squad, meaning someone may be forced to sit out of games.
Having already got off to a good start of the season, Walsall may in fact be the ideal destination, with Lee Grant a firm believer in giving youth players a chance, as he did for Leo Castledine at Huddersfield Town, and is now doing the same for Isaac Moore.
While he may have a battle on his hands to dislodge him or Sven Sprangler in the Saddlers’ plans, heading to Bescot may help in progressing Blacker’s career at this stage.
