As Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil prepares to leave the Stadium of Light, Sheffield United appear to be losing out in the transfer race for him.

The 24-year-old has spent his whole career with the Black Cats, but since their promotion to the Premier League in May, he has battled for playing time and is now searching for a new opportunity away from Wearside.

According to Mike McGrath’s report on Friday evening, the South Shields-born star has not flown to East London with the rest of the Sunderland squad as his team prepares to face West Ham United. However, Bramall Lane does not appear to be his intended destination.

Neil, who has made 201 appearances for the Black Cats throughout his career, has attracted serious interest from a number of clubs in recent weeks, and his new home appears to have been picked.

Rangers are close to signing Dan Neil, amid interest from Sheffield United.

Sheffield United have had a rough season thus far, and with injury and suspension troubles in midfield, Chris Wilder has been looking for an experienced player to take on responsibilities in the middle of the pitch.

However, according to a new claim from The Star, Rangers have grabbed the lead in the race to recruit Neil, as former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl seeks to boost his side as they chase Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Nonetheless, if the 24-year-old does make his way to Ibrox, Sheffield United has the option to pursue another of their objectives, with Joe Rothwell also on their radar.

The former Leeds United loanee has struggled for consistent minutes with Rangers, and if Neil teams up with Rohl, Rothwell might be free to transfer to the Championship.

Rothwell has plenty of experience in the English second tier, having played for Blackburn Rovers and Leeds, so that might be Wilder’s next stop as the transfer deadline of February 2 approaches.

Sheffield United may need to move on from Dan Neil,

who last played against them in the second division. Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League was sealed by Tommy Watson’s last-minute goal at Wembley Stadium.

He’s appeared 131 times in the Championship, and this experience would have been invaluable for Wilder’s team as they attempt to climb back up the league table and avoid relegation.

However, the opportunity to play in Europe with Rangers, as well as compete for league titles, appears to be too good to pass up, especially given that he has been witnessing his boyhood club’s success in the top division.

Neil would have brought plenty of calm to the middle of the park at Bramall Lane, but their low league position appears to have allowed others to overtake them in the race for the midfielder – they still have Jairo Riedewald, Ollie Arblaster, and Sydie Peck in the middle, but Wilder may require more if his side is to climb the table.