Tuesday 26 August 2014 11:09, UK
Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough has revealed Leeds United captain Jason Pearce is a target for the League One club following the departure of Harry Maguire.
With Maguire securing a move to the Premier League with Hull City, Clough is eager to bolster his defensive ranks and is looking to tempt Pearce into exchanging the Championship for England’s third tier.
Clough understands a move for the Elland Road defender will represent a considerable outlay for the Blades but remains eager to pursue a deal for the 26-year-old.
Leeds completed their 12th summer signing on Monday with Danish international midfielder Casper Sloth arriving in West Yorkshire, but it remains to be seen whether the Whites would entertain the prospect of doing business regarding their captain.
Clough confirmed to the Yorkshire Evening Post: “We have looked at Pearce certainly, yes.
“But I think he will be a bit beyond us with his contract at Leeds. Being a Championship player and what they’d want for him might be a bit beyond us. But yes, we’d like Jason Pearce.
“It is going be difficult to tempt a club to let somebody go who is currently in the first team. But we are trying to do that, if necessary.”
Clough is yet to rule out trying to persuade Hull to loan back Maguire to Bramall Lane, though any prospective deal is likely to hinge on the Tigers’ involvement in the Europa League.
