Former Swansea man a free agent after leaving Forest in summer
Andre Ayew is understood to be holding out for a move to one of Europe’s top-five leagues amid interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey this summer. The Ghana captain has been linked with a short-term deal at Sheffield United as the Blades look for more firepower up front to aid their Premier League survival bid
Ayew, 33, spent time last season at Nottingham Forest but failed to score in 305 minutes of action for Steve Cooper’s side. Ayew worked with Cooper at Swansea and had no issues with him at Forest, describing him as a “brilliant professional.” If reports of United’s interest are true, then Ayew’s lack of pre-season – meaning he will take time to get up to speed and in any sort of condition to help the Blades’ survival bid – and the cost involved would have to be taken into account.
Ayew has netted 21 Premier League goals in his career – more than double the combined tally of United’s other forwards – from his 102 appearances for Swansea, West Ham and Forest, with his tally of 12 in 34 games for the Swans in 2015/16 his best return. United are understood to be open to the possibility of adding a free agent to their ranks if the right player comes up – with goalkeeper Jed Steer also linked recently – but will have learned from the signing of Tom Davies, who is undergoing a condensed pre-season campaign during the season as he waits for his Blades debut almost a month after arriving.
