Sheffield United are set to hold on to one of their brightest young talents, Sydie Peck, despite reported interest from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
The 21-year-old midfielder has established himself as a key figure under Chris Wilder, making 23 Championship appearances this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
Forest reportedly turned to Peck after seeing a bid for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney rejected, while also having three attempts to sign Celtic’s Arne Engels fail.
With the January transfer window closing soon, the Blades can take confidence that Peck is widely expected to favour staying at Bramall Lane, where he remains a central part of Wilder’s plans.
Peck’s opportunities for game time are unlikely to be impacted by the imminent arrival of Kalvin Phillips, as he is capable of competing for minutes ahead of Ollie Arblaster and former Everton man Tom Davies.
His versatility and work ethic make him an important option as Sheffield United look to mount a late Championship play-off push, despite currently sitting 17th in the table.
Peck has already shown significant growth since breaking into the first team. Last season, he made 45 appearances, helping Sheffield United reach the play-off final, where they were narrowly defeated by Sunderland.
Much of his game time in 2024/25 came during Arblaster’s absence through injury, highlighting that while Peck is talented, he is still consolidating his role at the Championship level.
Although he made one Premier League appearance during Sheffield United’s relegation season in 2023/24, moving to the top flight now may not be in his best interests.
His current form three goals and two assists this term, compared with zero goals and three assists last season, demonstrating steady improvement.
Staying at Bramall Lane allows him to continue developing with regular minutes, rather than risk limited playing time at Forest.
For Chris Wilder and Sheffield United, keeping Peck is not just about resisting transfer interest; it is about nurturing a player who could become central to the club’s long-term ambitions and helping them push for a late-season play-off challenge.
