It’s being reported today that Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has invited Republic of Ireland international and former Ipswich Town striker David McGoldrick to join us for a trial this summer.
The centre-forward is a free agent following the expiry of his contract at Portman Road at the end of last season and the 30-year-old has been invited to train with us for the next few weeks – he’s accepted and he could make his first appearance for us in tomorrow evening’s pre-season friendly against Bradford City at Valley Parade.
He must have been putting the work in if he plays any part in that tie, but I would imagine at best maybe a late substitute if he features at all before getting a good few days in on the training pitch.
The Star have reported that our interest in him has peaked owing to complications over our speculated interest in Scott Hogan. United would prefer a loan deal, but it’s said Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce is flat against that – it’s permanent or nothing – so McGoldrick becomes an alternative option even though they are far from similar strikers in style and goal rate.
McGoldrick has scored 45 goals in 161 appearances across his five years at Ipswich, but he may gain the benefits of a more attacking side compared to Mick McCarthy’s style of play. He was also hampered last season by a run of niggly injuries.
One to watch, as he’s by no means a bad player at all and his performances previously have interested some Premier League teams from memory, so we’ll see.