Kevin Nisbet has been in fine form for Hibernian this season (Getty Images)
According to the Scottish Sun, Sheffield United have joined the race to sign in-demand Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet heading into the January window.
As per the report, Nisbet’s sparkling form at Easter Road in the Scottish Premiership has put several English clubs on red alert. The Blades have been mentioned among the potential suitors for the Glasgow-born hitman, with Chris Wilder expected to seek reinforcements to help his side in their battle against relegation in the Premier League.
It is understood that Hibs boss Jack Ross is desperate to keep hold of his star striker but a big-money offer could be enough to convince the club’s chiefs to cash in on their prized asset. Nisbet rose through the youth ranks of Partick Thistle but made only 17 top-flight appearances for his boyhood club over three seasons.
He spent time on loan at Dumbarton, East Stirlingshire and Ayr United in the lower divisions before sealing a permanent transfer to Raith Rovers. He shot to prominence with an impressive tally of 29 goals in the Scottish League One during the 2018-19 season.
That paved the way for a move to the Scottish Championship with Dunfermline Athletic, where he once again impressed with a 23-goal haul in all competitions last season.
Nisbet’s exploits were rewarded with a move to the top-flight with Hibernian, who paid a paltry £250,000 to snap him up this past summer. The striker has made an instant impact in the Premiership with 10 goals and 2 assists in 18 league appearances for the club so far. Nisbet has also netted twice in the League Cup, taking his overall tally up to 12 in 23 games.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United currently find themselves in a relegation battle after an impressive 2019/20 season.
With just 8 goals scored so far, it goes without saying that Wilder needs to look for some fresh additions to his attack. The likes of Oliver McBurnie, Billy Sharp, Lys Mousset, Rhian Brewster and Oliver Burke have offered very little. David McGoldrick is currently the top-scorer for the club with 4 goals to his name.
Putting things into context, Kevin Nisbet is more than worth a punt for struggling Sheffield United. The striker’s impressive form at Hibernian has seen him push for a Scotland call-up. That certainly underlines a massive upturn in fortunes for a player who was featuring in the third-tier just a couple of seasons back.
Nisbet has also earned a reputation as one of the brightest homegrown talents in Scotland as a result of his stunning breakout season at Easter Road. The report states that Sheffield United would need to look at cost-effective signings in January after massive outlays on Brewster and Aaron Ramsdale in the summer.
The 23-year-old looks like a player who would offer good value for money as far as the goal-shy Blades are concerned.
Goals in Scotland are hardly exchangeable for those south of the border, especially in the Premier League. The English top-flight is head and shoulders above the Scottish Premiership, both in terms of quality and intensity. However, there are players who have made the step up in recent times, with Southampton’s Stuart Armstrong a prime example.
Kevin Nisbet still has his best years ahead of him at 23, thus making him a good long-term acquisition for Sheffield United. Whether or not he is capable of delivering the goals required to keep the club in the PL is worth a debate, but a potential deal for the Scottish star looks like a step in the right direction given the outlook of it.