Former Swansea City star man and Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie has been linked with a move to Turkish Süper Lig side Trabzonspor as per Turkish newspaper Milliyet.
With the ex-Scotland international’s contract expiring at the end of June many clubs have become interested in obtaining his services on a free. Trabzonspor have appeared as a surprise option who are looking to bolster their attacking options after also showing interest in making loanee forward Paul Onuachu a permanent signing.
After Sheffield United‘s relegation to the Championship, The Blades will be looking to offload and rebuild to attempt an instant return to the Premier League. Although it is uncertain if McBurnie is in Chris Wilder’s plans, it was confirmed that discussions were ongoing concerning the Scot’s contract in Sheffield United’s retained list.
Many doors appear to be open for the target man who scored six goals and assisted three in 21 Premier League appearances this season after Hearts were equally said to be interested, although McBurnie quickly dowsed the rumour with water on X.
A move to Trabzonspor would see the Leeds-born forward swap Championship football for the European stage with the Turkish outfit finishing third in the league this season behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, earning a spot in the Europa League qualifiers.
McBurnie would not be the first British striker to make the move to the city of Trabzon on a free transfer with Daniel Sturridge playing a season for the side in 2019/2020 after leaving Liverpool. The year after, current Stoke City midfielder Lewis Baker spent a year on loan at the same place from Chelsea, before joining The Potters on a free.
Despite a difficult campaign for Sheffield United in the Premier League, McBurnie finished as joint top scorer for the club alongside Villareal’s on loan and former Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Brereton Diaz. The 27-year-old Scot was signed from Swansea City back in 2019 for £20 million including add-ons after a prolific season in which he scored 22 goals in 42 appearances.
Writer’s View
Oli McBurnie is without a doubt a solid footballer who has the physical attributes that make him a handful for most defences. Although only enjoying one real season where his goal scoring was above average, he does know where the back of the net is and it could be a smart move from Trabzonspor to get him in on a free.
Furthermore, the Turkish top flight often provides fertile ground for players looking to increase their goal contributions, seen in the past by a similar style forward in Wout Weghorst and currently Hakim Ziyech. However, McBurnie has been at Sheffield United for five years now, becoming a main stay in the squad, making the opportunity to score goals in the Championship potentially enough to keep the Scot at Bramall Lane.
The chance to move to a debatably easier league as well as play in European competition with a good side like Trabzonspor must be a tempting proposal for McBurnie to think about. At 27-years-old, there is still plenty of time for the striker to work his way back into the Scotland set up and putting away goals in Turkey might be just what the forward needs.
