Transfer News: Leeds United and Sheffield United Enter Pursuit of Former Liverpool Attacker Linked with Sunderland and Preston

Liam Millar has emerged as a target for both Leeds United and Sheffield United in the current summer transfer window. The Canadian international, who spent last season on loan at Preston North End from Swiss club Basel, is poised to make a permanent return to England.

Sunderland and Preston had previously shown strong interest in securing Millar’s services, with Sunderland eyeing him as a potential replacement for Jack Clarke if the latter moves to the Premier League this offseason, according to The Athletic. However, Leeds United and Sheffield United have now entered the fray, preparing to compete for Millar’s signature.

Leeds, who narrowly missed out on promotion after losing in the Championship playoff final to Southampton, and Sheffield United, recently relegated from the Premier League, are both keen on bolstering their squads with Millar’s talents.

During his loan spell at Preston last season, the 24-year-old winger made 35 appearances in the Championship, contributing five goals and five assists. Millar originally came through the ranks at Liverpool and had loan stints at Kilmarnock and Charlton Athletic before joining Basel on a permanent deal in 2021.

Ryan Lowe, manager of Preston North End, acknowledged Millar’s positive impact at the club and expressed his desire to retain him. He emphasized Millar’s affection for the club and the community, indicating that negotiations with Basel and the player’s representatives would determine his future.

“Liam has had a fantastic season for us, which we knew he would,” Lowe commented earlier this year. “He’s been missed of late, because he’s a fantastic player. But, all we can do is potentially put our best offer on the table. He knows that we’d love to keep him and I think Basel know we’d like to keep him.”

While Millar has expressed a desire to remain at Preston, Lowe acknowledged the financial complexities involved in securing his services permanently. “It’s easy for us to say we want to keep him, but I think Liam’s type of contract suits into the way we work. So, he is affordable, 100 per cent – but it’s whether he’s affordable to buy.”

The situation underscores the competitive nature of Millar’s transfer prospects, with various clubs evaluating his value and suitability for their squads. As negotiations unfold, Millar’s future in English football hinges on the outcome of discussions between Preston, Basel, and interested clubs like Leeds United and Sheffield United.