Despite Preston North End’s interest, Sheffield United remain consistent in their approach to Tom Cannon’s position as the transfer window nears its end.

According to Alan Nixon via Patreon, Sheffield United are wanting roughly £7 million with bonuses for Irish striker Cannon, with Preston expressing interest in the player in recent weeks.

That fee is nearly equivalent to what the Blades spent for the 23-year-old from Leicester City in January 2025, with Chris Wilder unwilling to take a loss on him just yet.

Sheffield United set asking price for Tom Cannon, amid Preston North End interest.

Cannon, 23, has struggled to reach the heights he has previously demonstrated in the Championship for Sheffield United since his £10 million transfer to Bramall Lane over 18 months ago.

The Everton academy graduate joined Leicester City in the summer of 2023 after a successful loan spell at Preston North End in the second division, where he scored eight goals in 20 league appearances, but struggled for playing time at the King Power Stadium.

Another successful loan spell in the Championship with Stoke City during the first half of the 2024/25 season followed, with nine goals in 22 league games, before joining Sheffield United, where he has only seven goals in 56 appearances across all competitions.

Cannon was left on the bench for the Blades’ goalless draw against Swansea City on Saturday, as Nixon previously revealed Preston’s interest in the Irish international.

According to Nixon, Sheffield United is demanding for their money back if Cannon is sold within the next week, despite The Star earlier reporting on the club’s intentions to keep the 23-year-old beyond the summer.

Why does Preston North End want Sheffield United’s Tom Cannon?

Cannon impressed during his loan time with Deepdale in the second half of the 2022/23 season, leaving his mark on the Lancashire club.

The Lilywhites have reportedly agreed to split ways with controversial striker Milutin Osmajic this summer, with Italian club Genoa interested, leaving Paul Heckingbottom’s side short up front.

Preston are interested in Cannon, according to Nixon, while the club is also looking into signing Southampton’s Cameron Archer and Stockport County’s Adama Sidebeh.

Preston fan pundit Darren Watson of Football League World has already expressed his excitement about a prospective move for Cannon, claiming such a move would ‘excite’ him.

Tom Cannon Sheffield United Championship statistics 2025/26 (Data as per FotMob)

Appearances

Goals

Expected goals:

4.77

Assists

Although Cannon has not had the greatest of periods in South Yorkshire, his record in the Championship remains impressive, and still only 23, there is more than enough time to find form again.

That £7 million plus extras amount that Sheffield United are demanding for Cannon would almost likely put Preston off making any serious offer for the Irishman, with the Lilywhites needing to break their record fee paid for a player once again after Alfie Devine earlier this summer.

A deal at this stage appears doubtful, though this is one to keep an eye on into the final week of the summer window.