Jamie Shackleton exit update emerges at Leeds United as Sheffield United transfer nears

Jamie Shackleton is set to join Sheffield United following the expiry of his contract with Leeds United at the end of last season, according to Alan Nixon.

The Sun journalist reported via his Patreon page on Thursday (4 July) that the versatile midfielder will join Yorkshire rivals the Blades after weeks of negotiations in what has been a frustrating start to the transfer window for Chris Wilder.

United's budget has been restricted as takeover talks continue at Bramall Lane, but the club and its higher-ups have approved the deal to secure Shackleton's signature this summer.

The 24-year-old is understood to be delighted to have found a new club in the Championship despite Leeds offering him an extension to his current deal at Elland Road at the end of last season [Leeds Live, 7 June].

Will Jamie Shackleton exit Leeds United during the summer transfer window at Elland Road?

It had seemed likely that Shackleton would depart Elland Road this summer for a number of weeks now as there has been next to no update about his contract negotiations with Leeds United following the initial offer.

The 24-year-old never managed to force his way into Daniel Farke's plans consistently last season as he was limited to a handful of league starts where he was more often than not played out of position by the German.

While Archie Gray's exit may well have opened up a pathway into the starting XI on a regular basis for the Blades-bound star, he will have likely been guaranteed regular football under Wilder at Bramall Lane next term already.

Leeds supporters will obviously be disappointed to see yet another academy product depart this summer, but this feels like a rare case where an exit suits almost every party involved in the deal.

Perhaps the biggest issue for the Whites is that they could potentially be strengthening a promotion rival with this transfer. The Blades are expected to challenge the promotion places again next term and they will now be buoyed by the addition of a Leeds man.

In other Leeds United news, a Wilfried Gnonto exit update has emerged at Elland Road as Brighton open summer transfer talks

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