Sheffield United can strike gold by tying Billy Sharp down to a new deal

According to the Telegraph, Billy Sharp is set to give Sheffield United a massive boost in their pursuit of Premier League football by signing a new two-and-a-half year deal.

The same report claims that the 33-year-old is prepared to commit the remainder of his career to his boyhood club. Negotiations between the player and the club have been going on for a while and talks over a new deal will be finalized shortly.

Sharp is currently one of the highest scorers in the Championship this season, with the veteran keeping Chris Wilder’s side in the race for promotion with 22 goals from 30 appearances in the league. The 33-year-old, who was re-signed from Leeds United in 2015 for his third stint at the club, helped the Blades secure promotion back to the Championship from League One and has now given them hope of ending their 12-year-long absence from the Premier League.

Undoubtedly, the news of Sharp signing a new contract should come as a piece of welcome news to the fans and the club hierarchy.

An academy graduate of Sheffield United, Sharp began his professional career with his boyhood club and has gone on to play for Rushden & Diamonds, Doncaster Rovers, Reading, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Southampton, establishing himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the second and third tiers of English football.

The 33-year-old has amassed a total of 237 goals and 62 assists from 527 career appearances and currently holds the record for the highest number of goals for an English born footballer in English professional football in the 21st century.

It is largely due to Sharp’s goalscoring exploits that Sheffield currently sit 2nd in the Championship standings, ahead of Leeds United on goal difference and just a couple of points behind pace-setters Norwich City. The veteran has been one of the cornerstones of the Blades’ successful campaign this term and they will need him to replicate his success in the Premier League next season should they end their long exile from the top flight.

Chris Wilder strengthened the attack with the loan signing of Gary Madine from Cardiff City in January. Madine has already hit the ground running in the Championship, scoring a brace in Sheffield’s latest 4-0 victory over Reading. The decision to sign Oliver Norwood permanently from Brighton was a step in the right direction and the fact that Sharp is set to commit his future to the club will definitely boost the morale in the dressing room.

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That said, the Blades are on the verge of striking gold and they should do everything in their power to finalize the contract talks with the prolific frontman.